Absolutely infuriating. In Basel SBB the commuters simply won't move; the escalators are blocked during the morning peak time and the number of people smoking in a crowded environment is quite simply intrusive. Very rude, like most of the people I have encountered in Basel. Really struggling with living here and wouldn't recommend it to anybody.
Hmm, coming into Zurich HB on the S4 (platform 1, 'downstairs') I don't encounter the people stopping on the "magical grey plate" at the top (or bottom!) of the escalators ... is this just up at the 'main' section, where there are too many options for people?
That's true. The escalators seem to have caught a bad cold lately.
Something really weird happened on my trip into Bern with the train yesterday. On the way in and out people stood away from the doors and let the exiting passengers off first. I have to say I was horrified and gobsmacked by this unwarranted display of courtesy and common sense with respect to public transport. I trust it will not continue and we will be back to the usual pushing and barging soon.
Lack of space?
Reminds me of this classic by the late Mike van Audenhove :
Lack of anticipatory planning.
Maybe they read this thread
Hardly. I yesterday was on a train from the Airport to HB and when getting down from the 1st floor accepted some people already moving up, but on getting out was confronted by a wall of people already pushing in. Used both arms and pushed away whomever was in my way. So NO, things apparently are deteriorating! Must be the influence of those new immigrants
Basels train station escalators are green and red now - with "links gehen" resp. "rechts stehen" written on each side.
Sadly, exactly the same blob of people as usual accumulated at the top of the escalator.
Do you think the new colors will change the situation in the long run?
Thanks for your input.
Hmm, we'll see... I think massive signs at the top saying "Now get out of the flaming way!!!" - in multiple languages - might be more helpful. Also at the entrance to every store.
Yes, and inside shops signs saying "This is not a meeting place for people to stand around in groups having conversations and blocking the aisles"!
This This and some of This.
Getting off at Marienplatz is easy. Should be comparably so in the basement of the Zürich HB. I remarked upon this right after moving here that the Münchener figured this one out and was surprised the Zürcher hadnt, considering that in most respects the swiss nail systems like these.
ah well.
Just try it in Germany. It works even less there. In some of the big cities people get it, but elsewhere it can be a real pain.
I think this needs to be introduced in all escalators not just in train stations.
I like to get places fast, which includes at the mall. Why should I need to wait behind a group of people on the escalator when I could move up it, get to my destination faster, and burn a few calories at the same time?
I think Spain had that even earlier. In Madrid and Barcelona many metro stations have three platforms serving two tracks, with the outer platforms intended for waiting and boarding and the middle platform for alighting and leaving the station. There are arrow signs on the trains that light up to tell you which side to get out. The practice seems to be falling out of use though, with more and more people getting in or out from whatever side pleases them.
An additional problem in Basel SBB is that the architects simply failed to anticipate the number of people using them. When a long and well filled train comes in it can take several minutes to clear the congestion around the foot of the escalators. They should really add a third passage.
You mean like the stairs?
Indeed, why should you? Just tell them to move, it works for me.
The stairs are congested too.
When I use a escalator I "block" both the right and the left hand side of these devices that are clearly designed for midgets and small children, even then you can't imagine how many buggers have to, must, with all force squeeeeeze themselves past with a look of tried exasperation so that they can get to wait on the platform a few seconds earlier for their train.
I don't understand why a person's height should make a difference to passing people on the escalator? All escalators I have used in Switzerland (and the World) seem to have ample upwards space for the majority.