'It doesn't make sense': Commuters bemused as Tube rulebook torn up with new escalator policy at Holborn

Robin de Peyer26 November 2015

Commuters have expressed doubt about whether new rules making escalators at one of London’s busiest Tube stations “standing only” in a bid to ease congestion will be effective.

Transport chiefs unveiled a pilot scheme at Holborn on Wednesday in a bid to help the flow of commuters through the station.

If introduced permanently, the rule would end the well-established protocol whereby passengers stand on the right and walk on the left hand side of escalators.

But the plan - which is only operating during the morning rush hour - was met with scepticism from people who use the station regularly.

Elyse Jenkins, a 26-year-old communications officer who travels to and from work through Holborn, said the move was an "odd" way of improving the flow of passengers there.

Instructions: the signs at Holborn station
Robin de Peyer

“I work in Holborn so I’m using the station quite regularly,” she said. “I’ve just heard about the new TfL plan to stand on both sides of the escalators which doesn’t make a great deal of sense to me.

“I usually walk on the left. I don’t think it’ll improve flow or make things easier. It seems a little odd.”

Transport for London said the tests were aimed at seeing if standing still on escalators could actually reduce the time it takes for commuters to exit the station.

Two members of staff with megaphones were stationed at the bottom of escalators during the morning rush hour, demanding commuters stand on both sides.

Emily, a teacher who travels through the station every day, added: “I don’t think the congestion is that much reduced, but I’m just used to it. It’s a daily trip for me so I don’t really think much about it to be fair.”

Abdullah Al-Mazyad

Aman Sood, who works for accountancy firm Smith and Williamson, said: “I don’t use this station regularly, but regularly use the Tube.

“I’ve just learned today about the new rule. I think it’s a bit odd to introduce a rule just for one Tube station and not all the others.

“It hasn’t been publicised at all so I’d be surprised if many commuters know about it.”

But Alex Dale, 48, who works in the gaming industry, said he welcomed new initiatives to ease overcrowding on the Underground network.

He explained: “I regularly walk on the left and I think it’s fine and proper that there’s a test done of whether people should all stand or whether people should choose where they go, and then once we’ve done the test we’ll know what the right thing is.”

Holborn is one of the most congested Tube stations in London thanks to its Piccadilly and Central line connections as well as its central location.

Peter McNaught, Operations Director for the Central line, said: “Holborn station is one of the busiest on the Tube network, experiencing high demand in both the morning and evening peaks.

"To keep up with demand, we have a plan to upgrade the station with a new entrance and an enlarged ticket hall, which will boost capacity by 80 per cent by 2022.

"In the meantime, as part of a three-week trial to reduce queues and keep people moving through the station, we are encouraging customers to stand on both sides of the ‘up’ escalators during busy periods.

"We believe this will increase the capacity of the escalators as more people will be able to board, preventing queuing at the bottom of the escalator.”

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