Dear Mr. Reuter:

It has come to my attention that the MTA is planning to do service work on Queens bound F trains beginning on Saturday May 6 to Monday May 8. Work is also planned for May 20-22 and May 27-30.

Since the Roosevelt Island Tram is currently out of service, any shutdown of the F train poses a major inconvenience to transit riders on Roosevelt Island. In light of this major inconvenience, I formally request that the MTA postpone all unnecessary service work on the F train until the Tram is up and running again.

According to the MTA, in March of 2006, 128,267 people used the Roosevelt Island Tram. While it is not managed by the MTA, it is a vital part of the city’s public transportation infrastructure. Commuters who normally depend on the Tram, visitors to the Island’s public hospitals, and the Island’s sizable senior and disabled populations are now at the mercy of the F train.

I understand that regular service work is needed to make the transit system more reliant and dependable. But due to the Tram stoppage, I strongly urge the MTA to consider postponement of any unnecessary work.

If you have any questions, or if my office can be of any assistance in working to resolve this problem, please do not hesitate to contact my Legislative Director, Amos Buhai at 212-535-5554.

Sincerely,
Jessica S. Lappin