STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With several large-scale residential and commercial projects -- including the NY Wheel and Empire Outlets -- coming to the North Shore waterfront, there's a proposal afoot for an alternative mode of transportation to get to Staten Island from Manhattan: an aerial tram.

At a cost of about $175 million, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) has launched a campaign to build an aerial tramway across New York Harbor.

"These tram systems are safe, cheaper to build than light rails, subways or other modes of transportation. They're cheaper to operate, and work well going across water," said Cesar Claro, SIEDC president and CEO, noting the SIEDC has looked at various tram systems across the globe.

"We want to start the conversation with Staten Islanders and the city. This fits in with what's going on in St. George. At the end of the day if you're driving on the Staten Island Expressway in the mornings or afternoons there's stand-still traffic (traveling toward Brooklyn). ...We need to take significant action and think out of the box," he added.

He said the SIEDC is pushing for New York City to issue a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to tram system developers for proposals.

In its "SITramway - An Aerial Tramway Proposal For New York Harbor," the SIEDC outlines how a tram, if running 24 hours per day, could move approximately 15,000 people daily to and from Manhattan. This would remove 21 percent of the 75,000 ferry riders from the boats per day.

The SIEDC estimates that 15 percent, or 10,000 of current ferry riders, are tourists who most likely will make up 50 percent of tramway riders.

"A good chunk of the people who would want to take the tram are tourists who will be coming to Staten Island to ride that Wheel," said Claro.

"Think about it: you could take a tram from lower Manhattan to Staten Island and then get on the largest observation wheel in the world; that's a nice day," he added.

CUTTING THE COMMUTE TIME



The tram would travel at a speed of 25 miles per hour and take 13 minutes and 41 seconds to move passengers 5.7 miles between the Staten Island and Whitehall Ferry terminals, says the report.

According to the SIEDC report, each tram cabin could hold 78 passengers and one operator. The estimates are based on a tram system in place in Portland, Ore., said Claro.

TRAM HISTORY

In the early 20th century, tramways were invented as a luxury mode of transportation, usually for sightseeing. Tramway systems are more commonly found in "mountainous and seascape areas as a means of transportation over natural features," says the SIEDC report.

In addition, cities around the world use aerial tramways for economic development opportunities, especially at waterfront redevelopment sites, the report says.

At the SIEDC's Green & Clean Expo on June 3 there will be a presentation from two potential tram operators, said Claro.

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