London Underground ‘stand on both sides’ escalator trial launches

From today, customers will be asked to stand on both sides of two ‘up’ escalators at Holborn London Underground station as part of a six-month trial to reduce congestion.

Transport for London (TfL) has begun a six-month trial encouraging customers to stand on both sides of two ‘up’ escalators helping to reduce congestion at the station. The third ‘up’ escalator is also available for people who still want to walk up.

Today’s introduction follows a three week trial which took place last year. Results showed that standing on both sides of the escalator reduced congestion by around 30 percent.

Standing on both sides of the escalator reduced congestion by 30 percent

Peter McNaught, Operations Director at London Underground, said: “I look forward to this new pilot starting today.  The etiquette on London Underground is for customers to stand on the right of escalators, allowing others to walk on the left. However, few customers choose to walk on longer escalators such as Holborn, so much of the left-hand-side is unused. We hope that this can lead to improving congestion at Holborn, making journeys easier for all of our customers”.

New signs and customer information

New signs and customer information have been developed by the behavioural science department at London School of Economics encouraging customers to stand on both sides. The signs, including standard instructions to customers and ‘light’ messages that play on words about standing, will be tested at different times to see which works best.

The signs and announcements will be displayed in various ways, including using a talking projection of a staff member, electronic versions of the triangular ‘stand on the right’ signs that customers pass as they travel up the escalator, signs on the floors, footprints on the escalator steps, handprints on the handrails and station announcements.