TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Metro Taipei has intensified its campaign to encourage passengers to stand on both sides of escalators, the transit agency announced Wednesday (Oct. 23).

The metro system is exploring additional signage and announcements at major transfer stations during peak hours to promote the practice. Its goal is to improve passenger flow.

During large events like baseball games and New Year's celebrations, staff are deployed to remind passengers to stand on both sides and proceed in an orderly manner. The public has largely complied, leading to smoother operations, Metro Taipei said.

Escalators in MRT stations feature prominent yellow signs urging passengers to hold onto handrails and stand firmly on steps. The agency has also increased safety promotion efforts through its app, advertisements, and station announcements.

Passengers should avoid distractions like using mobile phones while on escalators, Metro Taipei said. Loose clothing or footwear could be caught in the machinery.

In March 1996, Metro Taipei introduced a new policy to improve escalator efficiency. The company encouraged passengers to stand on the right side of escalators and let those in a hurry walk on the left, according to Vocus.

However, when a metro station was overwhelmed by a surge of passengers on 2005 New Year's Eve there was a stampede, leading to collisions, pushing, and injuries. In response to the incident, Metro Taipei said it would encourage passengers to hold onto the handrail and stand on the right side of escalators. 

While this addressed the issue of standing on the escalator, it did not explicitly discourage walking on the left side, especially during peak hours.

It was not until 2008 that the announcement was updated to its current form, which emphasizes the importance of holding onto the handrail and standing firmly on the steps. Discussions about the efficiency of standing on both sides of escalators have been ongoing.

Formerly, it was believed that reserving one side of an escalator for walking would improve passenger flows. However, a comprehensive study conducted by the Transport for London in London Underground has challenged this belief.

The study revealed that allowing passengers to stand on both sides of escalators can increase capacity by up to 30%. This suggests that the practice of designating one side for walking may be less effective than previously believed.