Forum: Review ‘keep left when not walking’ etiquette on escalators
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I have seen crowds forming at MRT station escalators because most commuters stand on the left side while leaving the right side empty for walking. This reduces the escalator’s overall effective capacity.
The prevalence of the “keep left when not walking” practice on escalators has spread to shopping malls as well, leading to long queues at malls such as Nex in Serangoon during peak hours.
Users who insist on their “right” to overtake on the right side of an escalator are not uncommon.
They might even go so far as to curse at those, even seniors, who obstruct their way.
Kone, a global manufacturer of escalators, states on its website that “escalators are not meant to be walked on”.
It may be time to review whether the longstanding escalator etiquette in Singapore remains appropriate.
Kevin Lim Kheng Aun
