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By: Benyamin Davidsons
Roosevelt Island’s red bus service used to be a reliable boon for residents, helping them get around the island’s 147 acres— with five free buses doing a long loop around the island every 15 minutes. For the last few months, however, the bus service has been chaotic— with people waiting endlessly at bus stops and never knowing when a bus will show up. As reported by the NY Post, mechanical problems and continuous upkeep challenges have forced the service down to only one-fifth as of last month.
“Our Red Bus fleet is aging, and the buses we have are running constantly,” the agency said in a statement in August. “Though we have ordered two new buses, we don’t expect them to arrive on the island until the end of 2024/early 2025. “For now, our Transportation team is doing its very best to keep things steady, but the situation is difficult.” The agency has also reportedly added a $115,000, 14-passenger short bus to try to improve the situation, per the Post.
The Roosevelt Islander Online reported last week that the agency finally pulled another bus into service— but they still have a long way to go to placate riders. Riders have complained that they rather walk the massive island, than wait indefinitely for the complementary bus to show up. “Lately it sucks,” said Karen, a 45-year-old human resources worker. “I walk. I don’t wait for it anymore. It’s been terrible service.” “It’s a real problem, especially during rush hour,” she continued. “People rely on the bus to commute to the subway. They used to come every eight minutes, now every half hour. It’s bad.”
Laura, a 32-year-old teacher, said she doesn’t even bother to wait for the buses anymore, saying walking is less of a hassle. She said though that some residents, including her physically-disabled father, depend on the service. Her dad missed a family event because the bus didn’t show up. “He waited [at the stop near the subway], but it never came,” she said. “He ended up just not coming. “They need to put the buses on a more consistent schedule,” Laura continued. “You know the buses are there, but when are they coming? I’m never quite sure.”
There are plans for a Red Bus GPS app, to let riders know when a bus is coming, but that app is still in testing phase. “These buses will be visible on the Transit app, so if you haven’t downloaded it yet, we encourage you to do so,” said an announcement by RIOC on August 30.
“We are currently experiencing unforeseen maintenance issues with several of our buses, which has resulted in the need for an adjusted Local service schedule during morning rush hours (7AM-10AM),” it reads on the NY.gov website’s page for Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). The agency was created in 1984 by New York State as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. The agency also operates the two-mile long island’s roads, parks, buildings, a sports facility, the iconic aerial tramway and the local Public Safety Department.
