Infrastructure: Railways shut 130 escalators at practice stations resulting from security checks | EUROtoday

The issues with escalators at Deutsche Bahn practice stations are extra widespread than beforehand recognized. However, after closing round 130 escalators at a number of German practice stations for security checks, the Federal Ministry of Transport expects Deutsche Bahn (DB) to rapidly repair the issue.

“The fact that so many escalators have to be taken out of service is of course very annoying, especially for people with limited mobility, and the displeasure is understandable,” stated a spokesman for Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) to the “Rheinische Post”.

The railway has assured the ministry that it was pressured to take this step as a precautionary measure resulting from a defect that manifested itself in an abrupt cease, “and is now working flat out together with the manufacturer to get it back into operation,” the spokesman added.

The closure was apparently triggered at Berlin Central Station, the place two escalators of the identical sort failed on the similar time. For security causes, different escalators have been additionally shut down. The RBB had reported that it was most likely a transmission drawback. The first escalators ought to now be operating once more there.

“We are working closely with the manufacturer under high pressure on the ongoing and upcoming tests,” Katja Hüske, the accountable rail board member at DB InfraGo, is quoted as saying. “The tests will be carried out as quickly as possible, taking into account the necessary manufacturer expertise. Ad hoc staff have already been confirmed.”

Those affected embrace the practice stations at Cologne/Bonn Airport, and escalators in Frankfurt, Dresden, Essen, Hamburg and Düsseldorf are at a standstill.