Escalators at Sydney’s train and metro stations were out of service for over 13,000 hours last year, with Chatswood and Parramatta worst affected—each experiencing more than 80 days of breakdowns.

New data from Transport for NSW, obtained through freedom of information, recorded 2,036 incidents between November 2023 and October 2024. The main issue at train stations was items getting stuck, including 17 cases of shoes caught at the comb plate, along with brake faults and power outages.

Mike speaks with John Tibbitts, president of the Lift Engineering Society of Australia, who questions whether escalators would even be approved if designed today due to their complexity and risks. Step chains, a common failure point, require extensive repairs, while comb plates are designed to break to prevent bigger issues.

Tibbitts, who helps write safety codes, warns that escalators can be dangerous, especially for kids and teenagers, who often get fingers caught or pinch themselves while sitting on the steps.

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