Stand on either side of escalators? Commuters reluctant to ditch 'keep left' habit in SMRT trial
Singapore's SMRT is conducting a trial at two MRT stations to encourage commuters to stand on both sides of escalators to improve safety and capacity. Despite the initiative, commuters remain resistant to changing their long-standing habit of keeping to the left.
Why it matters
This highlights the difficulty of changing ingrained social behaviors in public infrastructure, even when data suggests efficiency improvements.
CNA's observations at City Hall MRT station found that commuters who walked up the steps on the right took about 20 seconds to complete the ride, compared with 30 seconds for those who stood still on the left.
A sign at City Hall MRT station encouraging commuters to stand on both sides on the escalator on Nov 7, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)
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