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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Roosevelt Island locals want fast pass to take tram as selfie-crazed tourists turn transit into attraction
Fed-up Roosevelt Islanders want 'priority boarding' for residents who are routinely forced to wait in line with hordes of selfie-obsessed tourists who've turned the transportation system into a carnival ride. Lines to board the tram to Roosevelt Island from the Upper East Side's Tramway Plaza have gotten so out of hand locals may wait up to 45 minutes, residents told The Post. 'There's no animosity against the tourists at all, we encourage them to come and enjoy the place we have,' said Paul Krikler, a five-year Roosevelt Island resident and Manhattan Community Board 8 chair. 'But the trouble is, it's become a tourist ride, not public transit.' Advertisement 7 Lines to board the tram to Roosevelt Island from the Upper East Side's Tramway Plaza have gotten so out of hand locals may wait up to 45 minutes. Leonardo Munoz There are other options to get on and off Roosevelt including ferry service downtown and F train on the subway — but locals said there aren't enough to compete with the demand when locals are scheduling doctor's appointments or arranging school pickup and dropoff. 'What we just want and need is the understanding and respect as residents, as employees,' said Felicia Ruff, the vice president of the Roosevelt Island Residents' Association. 'We're late for work because there's a crowd … we understand it's a bucket list [item], but you can take the next tram as a visitor.' Advertisement Tram ridership has surged as the scenic ride made several social media 'Top 10' lists for visitors to the Big Apple. There's been a million additional riders in the last two years, data shows. 'It's become a nightmare,' said 69-year-old resident Louella Streitz, noting the island's sole F train station's elevators are often out of service, which cause a headache for the area's aging population. 'We can't get home. I fight [tourists on the tram], I can't wait – I just push my way in.' 7 There are other options to get on and off Roosevelt including ferry service downtown and F train on the subway. Leonardo Munoz 7 Locals said other transportation methods aren't enough to compete with the demand when locals are scheduling doctor's appointments or arranging school pickup. Leonardo Munoz Advertisement The battle over tram access inspired a rally at Tramway Plaza on Sunday afternoon, with the likes of council member Julie Menin, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Democratic mayoral candidate Scott Stringer showing support for the disgruntled Roosevelt Island commuters. During her remarks, Menin proposed a 'win-win' solution for residents to enter the tram on a fast-track – and offer a tourist pass to boost business once visitors are on Roosevelt Island. 7 Tram ridership has surged as the scenic ride made several social media 'Top 10' lists for visitors to the Big Apple. Leonardo Munoz 'We would let residents go first, and we could also promote all of the incredible tourist destinations on Roosevelt Island,' said Menin, adding that she will be meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul's office this month to discuss the matter. 'It is very common sense, and we want to make sure that it happens now.' Advertisement The call for priority boarding on the tram is hardly new. When the F train was suspended from August 2023 to April 2024, locals asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) – the state agency that manages the tram – for passes to bypass burgeoning groups of social media-obsessed tourists returning to Gotham after the pandemic. At the time, RIOC argued it's illegal to discriminate against riders based on residency under state transit law, as well as the terms of its various contracts with the MTA and the city. 7 The battle over tram access inspired a rally at Tramway Plaza on Sunday afternoon. Leonardo Munoz A rep for RIOC told The Post its 'official comment is the statement we put out in 2023,' which rebutted that the tram is 'open equally to all New Yorkers and to the millions of people who visit New York City every year.' But residents like Krikler claim the new congestion on the tram has caused a 'transportation crisis' that creates a 'reasonable' need to prioritize Roosevelt Island locals and workers — and jurisdictions from Portland, Maine to Puerto Rico already tout similar preferential programs. 7 RIOC argued it's illegal to discriminate against riders based on residency under state transit law, as well as the terms of its various contracts with the MTA and the city. Leonardo Munoz Despite RIOC's refusal to consider the proposal, over 2,500 locals signed a November petition and the local community board passed a resolution the following month opting for the priority boarding passes. In its resolution, the board argued priority passes for the tram were issued to locals in 1976 amid similar tourism concerns. The group pointed to other preferential programs such as a 2023 toll rebate program for Queens and Bronx residents who use the Henry Hudson Bridge and Cross Bay Bridge. Advertisement 7 Despite RIOC's refusal to consider the proposal, over 2,500 locals signed a November petition opting for the priority boarding passes. Leonardo Munoz Krikler told The Post he and other locals surveyed tourists waiting in line in December, who reported they 'wouldn't mind at all' if priority passes were issued to residents — but not all tourists appear to agree with the plan. First-time visitor Yolanda Pedraza, of Colombia, told The Post the policy seems 'unfair' to those who travel from around the world for the panoramic views. 'It's a beautiful place to visit,' she said. 'I know many people come from all over the world – no, I don't think it's fair.'
New York Post
6 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Everything to know about NYC Democratic primary mayor debate — and why Eric Adams won't be participating
The race to City Hall is heating up. Nine Democratic candidates for mayor will take the stage Wednesday night to face off on how to fix the Big Apple's biggest issues. The event, put on by the city's Campaign Finance Board (CFB), will give New Yorkers a thorough look at the candidates in the June 24 primary, their policies and their records. 10 Jessica Ramos attends the Pride Kick Off Mayoral Forum in New York City on May 31, 2025. Leonardo Munoz It will be frontrunner Andrew Cuomo's first time sharing the stage with the slew of other hopefuls vying for the party nod. When and where is the debate taking place? The first Democratic mayoral primary debate is taking place Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at NBC's iconic 30 Rockefeller Center studios. The event, which will be hosted by NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU and POLITICO New York, will be filmed and aired live. 10 Candidate Adrienne Adams attends the Pride Kick Off Mayoral Forum in New York City on May 31, 2025. Leonardo Munoz 10 Candidate Michael Blake attends the Pride Kick Off Mayoral Forum in New York City on May 31, 2025. Leonardo Munoz 10 Candidate Brad Lander speaks at a Mayoral Forum hosted by Queers for Action on May 31, 2025 in New York City. Andrew Schwartz / 'The debates at 30 Rock will be informative, engaging, and help voters make their preferred choices at the ballot box. Our team understands the critical issues facing the city, and we're listening to what New Yorkers want to hear from the candidates,' said Amy Morris, senior vice president of news for NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47. How to watch the debate: The debate will be airing live on WNBC — and there are a couple of ways to watch for free. Viewers can claim a free trial on DIRECTV or Sling TV to access WNBC live if they don't already pay for cable. 10 Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured) is the current frontrunner ahead of Wednesday's debate. Stephen Yang Who is participating? A packed field of nine candidates will be participating in the debate. Here's a brief overview of the mayoral hopefuls, in order of how they'll be standing on stage, left to right: Adrienne Adams : Speaker of the City Council since 2022 and a member since 2017. She hails from and represents South Jamaica, Queens. She is a progressive Democrat. : Speaker of the City Council since 2022 and a member since 2017. She hails from and represents South Jamaica, Queens. She is a progressive Democrat. Brad Lander: The City Comptroller since 2022 and a career pol, Lander is a Brooklynite by way of St. Louis, Missouri. He is a progressive Democrat. The City Comptroller since 2022 and a career pol, Lander is a Brooklynite by way of St. Louis, Missouri. He is a progressive Democrat. Jessica Ramos: Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, Ramos is a state senator representing Queens' 13th District since 2019. She is a pro-labor progressive Democrat. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, Ramos is a state senator representing Queens' 13th District since 2019. She is a pro-labor progressive Democrat. Zellnor Myrie: A Brooklyn state senator since 2019, representing its 20th District in Crown Heights, Myrie is a native of the borough and a progressive, pro-real-estate Democrat. A Brooklyn state senator since 2019, representing its 20th District in Crown Heights, Myrie is a native of the borough and a progressive, pro-real-estate Democrat. Andrew Cuomo : The former governor of New York, hailing from Queens, is making a comeback bid for mayor. Facing a slew of scandals, he resigned in 2021 after serving for 10 years. He is a conservative Democrat. : The former governor of New York, hailing from Queens, is making a comeback bid for mayor. Facing a slew of scandals, he resigned in 2021 after serving for 10 years. He is a conservative Democrat. Whitney Tilson: A former hedge fund manager originally from Connecticut, the Harvard-educated Tilson is a conservative Democrat. A former hedge fund manager originally from Connecticut, the Harvard-educated Tilson is a conservative Democrat. Zohran Mamdani: A Queens state Assembly member representing Astoria and Ditmars-Steinway since 2021, Mamdani is a Democratic socialist originally from Uganda, who was raised on the Upper West Side. A Queens state Assembly member representing Astoria and Ditmars-Steinway since 2021, Mamdani is a Democratic socialist originally from Uganda, who was raised on the Upper West Side. Michael Blake : A reverend from the South Bronx, Blake served as a state Assemblyman from 2015 to 2021 in The Bronx's 79th District. He is a progressive Democrat. : A reverend from the South Bronx, Blake served as a state Assemblyman from 2015 to 2021 in The Bronx's 79th District. He is a progressive Democrat. Scott Stringer: The city comptroller from 2014-2022, the longtime pol was born and raised in Harlem. Though Stringer ran a progressive ticket in the 2021 mayoral race, he is a tad more center this go-around. Read more about the candidates here: 10 Mayor Eric Adams (pictured), will not be attending the debate as he has forfeited the Democratic race to run as an Independent. REUTERS Why isn't Mayor Eric Adams participating? The 110th mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, will not be on the debate stage. Though he ran as a Democrat in 2021, he withdrew from the Democratic primary this April — opting instead to seek re-election as an independent candidate. Will there be another debate? Yes! Leading Democratic candidates will have a second, smaller, but just as fiery debate next Thursday, June 12. Ramos and Blake didn't meet the CFB's fundraising requirements to make it to the second round — so Wednesday will be voters' only chance to see them square up against their opponents. 10 Candidate Zellnor Myrie pictured in an interview. Robert Miller Will there be live mics? WNBC has not yet confirmed if mics will be turned off after candidates' allotted time — like they were in 2024's presidential debate. 10 Candidate Whitney Tilson (left) at The Roosevelt House at Hunter College for a NYC mayoral candidate debate. James Messerschmidt 10 Candidate Scott Stringer speaking at a United Federation of Teachers meeting. Robert Miller Will there be an audience? There won't be a studio audience at this round of debates — with only select guest credentials being provided to campaign staff. 10 Candidate Zohran Mamdani (pictured) is polling in second place behind the former governor. Leonardo Munoz What to look out for: MAMDANI vs. CUOMO : Mamdani has been slashing Cuomo's lead in recent polls — though the two candidates are on opposite ends of the Democratic spectrum. Wednesday's debate is likely to see both the conservative-leaning former governor and the socialist Queens Assemblyman go toe to toe on various issues and refute each other's policy proposals. : Mamdani has been slashing Cuomo's lead in recent polls — though the two candidates are on opposite ends of the Democratic spectrum. Wednesday's debate is likely to see both the conservative-leaning former governor and the socialist Queens Assemblyman go toe to toe on various issues and refute each other's policy proposals. CUOMO GANG-UP : Expect to see a barrage of blows fired at the former governor by all candidates on stage, particularly about his resignation and his handling of the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. : Expect to see a barrage of blows fired at the former governor by all candidates on stage, particularly about his resignation and his handling of the COVID-19 nursing home crisis. ANTI-SEMITISM : With rising antisemitsm in the Big Apple and the conflict in the Gaza Strip, expect this topic to bring up heated points of view from candidates. Keep an eye out specifically for a sparring match between Cuomo, who is staunchly pro-Israel, and Mamdani, who has a history of Palestinian activism and controversial views on the Jewish state. : With rising antisemitsm in the Big Apple and the conflict in the Gaza Strip, expect this topic to bring up heated points of view from candidates. Keep an eye out specifically for a sparring match between Cuomo, who is staunchly pro-Israel, and Mamdani, who has a history of Palestinian activism and controversial views on the Jewish state. SAFETY and AFFORDABILITY: Two hot-button issues on the ballot right now are safety and affordability — particularly when it comes to housing. Expect to hear a lot of talk about police, subway safety and housing solutions.
AFP
14-04-2025
- General
- AFP
Old video misrepresented after New York helicopter crash
"This is the helicopter before crashing, you can see the pilot was doing very dangerous maneuvers that the helicopter could not eventually handle. #HudsonRiver," says an April 10, 2025 post on X. Image Screenshot from X taken April 10, 2025 Similar posts spread across the platform after New York police said a helicopter had crashed into the busy shipping channel April 10. The aircraft was carrying a Spanish family on a sightseeing flight when it malfunctioned, falling apart in mid-air before plummeting into the waters below. All six people on board -- the pilot plus a senior business executive, his wife and three children -- died. Their bodies have been recovered from the river. Image The wreckage of a helicopter is removed from the water after crashing into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025 (AFP / Leonardo Munoz) Various videos of the crash emerged online in the hours after it happened. But the clip spreading on social media is not one of them; the footage was captured nearly six years earlier and during different weather conditions, a reverse image search revealed. A social media user named @thingswendysees, identified in news reports as Wendy Slater, posted the footage to Instagram June 10, 2019 (archived here). "Crazy helicopter on the east river #NYC #nycphotographer #helicopter #weird," the post says, tagging several local news outlets. Reached via Instagram direct message, the user told AFP: "The video is from the 2019 helicopter accident." According to news reports that also published the footage, that helicopter flying erratically was carrying only the pilot, who died after making a crash-landing atop a high-rise in Midtown Manhattan (archived here and here). The crash sparked a fire and forced workers to evacuate the building. The clip was cited as a "witness video" in the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation of the incident, which said difficult weather conditions likely caused the pilot to become disoriented and lose control of the aircraft (archived here). Investigators from the agency were reportedly on site after the April 10, 2025 crash as well, though no conclusive report is expected for months.
