bardo1

I said "informal" rule - not official rule. If you have had any experience whatsoever with metro, you will know that this is indeed the informal rule. Commuters stand to the right and walk to the left. They also push past people who are standing to the left. It doesn't matter who disapproves of it, but the fact is, that's how it works in the real world.

So, I'm not sure how I was incorrect.

BTW, for those who use the metro in DC, help me remember something. A few years ago, metro put large circles on the floor in front of the escalators. I'm pretty sure they said "Stand to the right, walk to the left." (In other words, they caved.) But the circles quickly got very yucky and they ended up removing them. Did they say this? What did they say? Can't believe I can't remember!

Birder is correct. That's a ``long-standing'' informal agreement about stand right, walk left, although litigation-phobia Metro refuses to make it an official policy. Yes, they did start to indicate change and then I'm sure the lawyers scared them.

It's a situation exacerbated by Metro's constant escalator repairs and relatively small numbers of stairs and elevators.

There's also a problem, especially this time of the year when people with double-wide, dvd-equipped strollers clog an entire escalator.

The issue is hot enough that someone sees a buck in it via t-shirt sales:
http://www.standtotheright.com/

birder,
I've been a regular rider going way back to when there was only a red line. Point taken on "informal" vs. "formal".

I suppose it's like a road that has a 35 MPH speed limit that all the locals drive 60 MPH on (like the B/W Parkway). I just didn't want tourists to think they are doing something "wrong" if they follow the rules when riding the escalator.

Also, those circles said "Walk, Don't Run"

Here's a quote from Metro CEO Richard White:

``We encourage people not to walk on escalators. However, it is not prohibited. That is why we ask that people stand on the right to allow others to walk on the left if they feel it to be necessary.''

But that was six years go ... and now they've stopped asking apparently.

Somehow, this seems like a common courtesty thing. While no one should be rude to visitors (or locals) who are standing on the left, you'd think it would ``click'' automatically or after just one gentle suggestions.

Stand right/walk left is part of the rules for a number of subway systems. It's standard on ``moving sidewalks,'' why is it so hard on escalators?

We just returned from DC - stayed at the Econo-Lodge in Arlington just off I-66. It was in a good area. It was clean, seemed to have been recently renovated, served a continental breakfast. Parking was on site - no charge. Since we were AAA members, the price was under $100. Would stay there again. It was just a short walk to the Metro.