Dead Escalator Reports laid to rest—for now

This past week, a team of inspectors was in the Metro tending to the escalators and lifts. Quite a few escalators were fixed, and for that I am happy. The lifts may take a bit longer, but we'll see.

I spoke to one MTA official about the inspections and problems with the escalators in particular, and found out a bit more about how things work as well as fail to work. The MTA apparently has 16 specialists constantly in motion to tend the problems. The emergency stop button is frequently engaged by school kids (whose idea of a prank is frighteningly dim, I might add) and to re-start the escalator in question, one must reach into the lower left panel for the switch. (Those panels are rarely locked, a statement that prompted no responce from the MTA official that day.) The aluminum steps —"teeth," as I call them—cost several thousand dollars each. When a metal item—say, a penny—is dropped and becomes stuck in the upper or lower skirt, the aluminum ridges are ground down and the "tooth" has to be replaced. Several million a year are spent replacing these parts. Finally, there is an emergency number for the reporting of dead escalators that is placed not very prominently near the emergency  stop button. (I feel that there should be a simple electrical circuit alert that is generated by the movement of the escalator; when the escalator stops, the alert—like a simple door or window alarm—sounds out and shows which one has stopped.)

Apparently the biggest problem with dead escalators are the school children pressing the stop button. Perhaps the MTA can replace the unlocked panel covers with one that requires a breaking of light glass. Too, while I have never witnessed such an action, I have to wonder why people do not say anything if it does occur so frequently. Were someone to pull the emergency brake as a prank on the train, school child or no, I will immediately get involved; I find stopping escalators for fun less urgent but no less demanding of taking action. (Call me curmudgeon, if you must.)

In any case, I am happy that there has been noticeable improvement in this area. But I have loads more to bitch about, especially with all the bus line cuts offered by Tony V and the MTA board.

-BusTard

Comments

[ubrayj02]

Thanks for keeping on top of this issue. Do not let the MTA's immediate reaction to this lone issue stop you from finding more to write about.

In L.A., we have a political tradition of ignoring the most fundamental interests of people. When you write about it clearly, things can change.

I hope you have a way to keep doing this type of work (financially). That is the biggest barrier to getting things done in this town - you have to be able to afford to show up and get your message out.

[Raymond Dang]

I was at Chinatown station yesterday for the New Year's parade and one of the up escalators was out.

[Randall BusTard]

I had thought of checking regularly that escalator, but it is the only one on the Gold Line, I believe. (Correct me if I am wrong; I recall most of the platforms being grade level.) Waiting for the Gold Line is torturous, and to ride it two stops to Chinatown and back would have added an hour to my weary day.
I understand that things do get crazy, however. On another L.A.-based blog I read of a recent incident whereby people were denied entry owing to there being too many on the platform, and that as folk got on the trains small groups were allowed forward to await the subsequent trains.

[Damien Newton]

Great work with this series. I wish I could say I've noticed the escalators on the Red Line trains I frequent have improved, but not yet. At least we know what the problem is, and maybe we can get the MTA to spend a little capital money to make it harder to mess with the escalators instead of on the turnstiles.

[Randall BusTard]

I have been rather busy of late, which has prevented me from checking up on the people-movers since the inspection ended, but I shall. And if I find that little has changed, I will get back to recording the problems.