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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask transport for London staff to help at station escalators

45 replies

Albertatata · 05/08/2014 18:55

I'm a long term Londoner and very happy travelling with my children on public transport but I arrive back into London tomorrow evening probably at about 6pm on my own with a 2.9yr old and a 9 month old, pram & large bag.

I am usually happy in escalators with pram whilst husband takes toddler. Would it be unreasonable to ask station member to help by holding toddlers hand whilst we travel dowb escalators to northern line at euston. I'll be fine once we are on tube and fine at London bridge as there is a lift - it's just at euston station

Do you think they would do it?

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 05/08/2014 18:58

No, they're actively instructed not to do so.

In a quiet station, they might break the rules, but not a chance at a major one.

Ask other passengers; someone usually will.

brokenhearted55a · 05/08/2014 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IScreamForIceCream · 05/08/2014 19:01

Agree with ask another traveller - not the staff as they are genuinely told not to help.

6pm in Euston will be very very busy - does it have to be at this time?

TeaandHobnobs · 05/08/2014 19:10

I think it would be quite a bad idea to try and do this during rush hour. What about walking down the Euston Road to Kings Cross-St Pancras (about 10 mins walk, maybe slower if your 2.9yr old is walking) and getting on the northern line there where there is a lift?

windchime · 05/08/2014 19:16

They have installed lifts at Euston recently!

sydd · 05/08/2014 19:16

There's no escalator down to the southbound northern line bank branch at Euston at the moment - access by the spiral staircase only while they refurbish an escalator.

AbsolutelyCrushed · 05/08/2014 19:19

Yeah, Euston is a mess because of the refurbishment and there's a few escalators missing. At 6pm,it'll be absolutely packed with commuters rushing around the building work.

I'd avoid. Go for a quieter station, or hold off until later in the evening.

ToffeeMoon · 05/08/2014 19:22

Of course someone will help! Despite their reputation, I find tube travellers to be lovely when it comes to helping people with prams, small children.

flowery · 05/08/2014 19:23

I'd be getting a cab in that situation, no question at all.

BarbaraPalmer · 05/08/2014 19:23

i would think they would refuse, on the basis that prams are not officially allowed on the escalator. I'm sure you could collar a passer by though - I always offer to help people with small DC.
I'd probably walk to Kings X and get the 17 bus.

wimblehorse · 05/08/2014 19:31

Agree with posters saying walk or cab to kx. With escalators out of action at euston the (slow) lifts at kx will be much easier

LittleBearPad · 05/08/2014 19:32

Can you walk to Kc/St Pancras and get the Thameslink to London Bridge. It will be less hideously busy and there are lifts.

Quivering · 05/08/2014 19:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Choochootrain1 · 05/08/2014 19:46

I often come into euston, always been refused any help with pushchair but it literally takes 5-6 mins to walk to st pancras where it's much easier just come out of station turn left and keep walking along main rd. Takes me that long to find the lifts in some stations

parallax80 · 05/08/2014 19:52

Walk to KX, it's got incredibly complicated making my head hurt step free access.

Kewrious · 05/08/2014 19:53

Not at rush hour and certainly not on a long escalator but on short flights of stairs, in the day, I have left DS at the bottom of hand stairs, lugged the buggy up and then gone to get him. He is super obedient though and wouldn't move a muscle if I told him to stay still.

sydd · 05/08/2014 20:04

Yeah, it would be doable in those circumstances. But at Euston atm it's an escalator, two storeys of spiral staircases/steps, passageways and very very crowded. Just reiterating so that OP isn't one of those people I see slowly losing the will to live halfway down!

Andrewofgg · 05/08/2014 20:11

Tube travellers will usually help but Euston at the moment is not the place for you if you can help it. Which as others have said you can - KX/St Pancras for you. Northern Line or Thameslink. I would choose Thameslink.

Kewrious · 05/08/2014 20:12

At Euston, I would come out, take a bus (which stops right outside), get off at King's Cross and proceed from there. I mention the bus because the 2.9 year old may not want to walk after a train journey in the heat etc.

SaucyJack · 05/08/2014 20:13

Put the baby in a sling and the toddler in the pram.

I think it would be unfair to ask if they're not allowed to do it.

daddyorchipsdaddyorchips · 05/08/2014 20:24

I second the going to Kings x and taking the 17 bus to London Bridge. At that time of night you'll be going the opposite flow of most of the commuter traffic on 17 and it won't be as busy (or hot) as the northern line.

Sixweekstowait · 05/08/2014 20:25

Cab

Bonbonbonbon · 05/08/2014 20:28

Definitely cab or walk to KX.

Anarchy99 · 05/08/2014 20:29

I think I read a thread ages ago that said the staff aren't allowed to do it.

FrankSaysNo · 05/08/2014 20:34

No. If you need a station with a disability lift then plan your journey accordingly and phone ahead to organise

Would it be unreasonable to ask station member to help by holding toddlers hand whilst we travel down escalators to northern line at euston.

I'd help you, as will many other members of the public. But a 2.9yo should be able to hold a pram frame and not be an issue.