Quote:
Originally Posted by huenthar
down escalators are a waste of space... the people who absolutely need them are few enough that they can use the elevator.
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I think you are underestimating how useful escalators are.
First, you don't have to be fully disabled to want to use a down escalator. A lot of people have knee and back problems not severe enough to immobilize them, but bad enough that stairs are painful.
Walking down stairs is also a hazard to the elderly. A lot of old people are fully mobile until that one time they fall down a flight of stairs, then their life is basically over after that and they spend what's left in a care home. So why not try to keep the costs down on our medical system by having more escalators in public places. That's the whole reason malls exclusively have escalators now, not because we are lazy sad sacks, but to avoid the public scene of old people falling down stairs. Have you ever seen an old person navigating the Canada Line stations, like 41st, that have a lot of down only stairs. It's sad.
The other reason down escalators would be extremely useful at Main Street is its location. First, it is close to Science world, and as such is popular with families. And small kids are slow at going down stairs. That can slow down the flow at a busy station. And who wants to see kids fall down stairs? So it is good they will have stairs on the West side.
The other reason is the Train and Bus station. Some people getting off at Main will have luggage. They will go down the East side. So it would have been nice to have an escalator on that side too, to make it easier for travelers, especially guests to our fine city, to get to and from the Station with their luggage.