The long wait is finally over: The rebuilt Roosevelt Island tram resumed service on a rainswept morning this week. After a nine-month gestation, a $25m price tag, and a champagne ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 am on Tuesday, it was business as usual.

My first ride took place later in the day, along with islanders happily resuming their regular commute. The photographer to my right (top row), accompanied by a reporter, were on assignment to a Norwegian daily business newspaper. The ride was amazingly smooth until we bumped past the east tower, on the island. But that's just part of the fun of riding the city's most unique mode of transit.