Roosevelt Island's 15-month cutback in subway service starts Sunday (February 22).  That, and other transit matters, were the target of some twenty Roosevelt Islanders who appeared Tuesday at a meeting of the MTA's NYC Transit Committee.  Because the Island's specific concerns were not on the agenda, the delegation was given just two minutes to present its case.

Given just two minutes to speak for the group, Residents Association President Patrick Stewart decried the service cutback, and pressed for the Metrocard for the Tramway, as well as rail-to-rail transfers.  Such transfers would allow single-fare transfers from one subway line to another.

The Transit Authority has subsequently announced that walking transfers will be implemented, starting Sunday, between the Q-line station at 63rd and Lexington, and the Lexington-line station at 59th Street.  No other walking transfers are currently contemplated, but they have not been ruled out.

Transit Authority President Lawrence Reuter told the Island delegation that discussions are still being conducted between RIOC and the TA regarding Metrocard for the Tramway.

The protest appearance garnered some television coverage for the group, including NY1 (Time Warner Cable news, on channel 1) and WPIX/11.