Nanjing Metro Scraps 'Walk Left, Stand Right' Rule on Escalators

By Bridget O'Donnell

Nanjing transportation authorities are encouraging metro users not to follow the "Walk left, stand right" rule on the escalators, claiming that it's safer for passengers and won't damage the machinery.

In a post on social media, the Nanjing Metro system explained the safety risks of following the rule (translation via SCMP)

About 95 percent of escalators have severe damage on their right side. Standing on the right and walking on the left is no longer being recommended... Standing still and holding onto the handrails are more important.

Some agree with the advice.

"If somebody is in a hurry, they can run as fast as they want taking the stairs," one Beijing resident told the Beijing Morning News. "We should abandon [the] rule."

Others are wary.

"If I don't stand to the right, others will see me as rude," one said.

This isn't the first time authorities have proposed getting rid of the practice. Shanghai authorities stopped advocating the "Walk left, stand right" escalator rule a few years ago, also making the safety argument. In fact, a 2013 piece in the Shanghai Daily echoed nearly the exact same arguments put forth by Nanjing Metro authorities:

As we all know, “walk left, stand right” is a good rule to adhere to anywhere in the world. Metro passengers have been urged to follow it for years in Shanghai.

But since the end of last year, the city stopped promoting the “walk left, stand right” rule, instead laying the emphasis on holding the handrail when riding an escalator.

The local Metro operator began advocating the practice in November 2006 with posted signs and public announcements at Metro stations. But some subway users said it can be dangerous when fellow passengers walk quickly or run on an escalator...

If you are truly in a hurry it would be safer to use the stairs instead of walking or running on the escalators.

But does the safety argument really hold? That's debatable.  

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