Forum: Extend escalator trial to MRT stations serving those with different mobility needs

I refer to the report, “Stand on either side of the escalator: Signs spotted at City Hall MRT station” (Nov 6). I wonder whether the trial should also include stations serving passengers with different mobility needs, particularly those travelling to hospitals.

One such location is Kent Ridge MRT station, which serves the National University Hospital (NUH) and the National University of Singapore.

As a regular commuter, I frequently observe severe congestion at the station’s escalators during the morning peak period, particularly between 8.30am and 10am.

Many elderly patients travelling to NUH understandably prefer to stand rather than walk on escalators. Under the existing “stand left, walk right” arrangement, this means navigating towards the left side, contributing to bottlenecks at the escalator entrance. The crowds can become so dense that commuters wishing to walk up on the right cannot even reach that side.

Ironically, an arrangement intended to facilitate faster movement may, under such conditions, impede everyone.

Encouraging commuters to stand on both sides could allow passengers to board escalators more evenly, reducing congestion at the entrance while improving safety and accessibility for elderly and less mobile commuters.

While City Hall and Raffles Place MRT stations provide useful insights into commuter behaviour at busy interchange stations, Kent Ridge station could offer an equally valuable perspective on the needs of elderly and less mobile passengers.

The success of such initiatives should be measured not only by commuter preferences or travel speed, but also by how safely and efficiently our public transport system serves people of different ages and abilities.

Karen Crasta