Have you heard the new Metro announcements yet? Maybe you were too busy rerouting yourself around the Yellow line over the weekend to notice, but Metro has added a couple new messages to its usual repertoire of station announcements, and at least one of them should have DCist commenters cheering:

“Hi. Welcome to Metro. We have a lot of escalators in our system. You’ll notice that most people stand on the right side. And while you’re riding, hold the handrail for your safety. Enjoy your trip, and thank you for riding Metro.”

Yes, after years of grumbling and complaining through summer tourist seasons, Metro has finally relented and begun “officially” sanctioning the “Stand Right, Walk Left” rule that is the hallmark of civilized escalator behavior. But an unwillingness to commit totally to the rule leaves us with the rather lukewarm observational tone of the message: “You’ll notice that most people stand on the right side” doesn’t exactly inspire the fear of God, and really, isn’t that what we’re looking for in this situation? Something more like “Don’t be rude, please stand to the right and allow others to pass on the left” is certainly in order, but according to the Post, Metro won’t officially sanction walking on the left for safety reasons. They also are prohibited from putting up “Stand to the Right” signs because the national safety code for elevators and escalators does not allow non-cautionary signs to be posted within 10 feet of an escalator.

Other new Metro station messages include one that tells people that train doors are not like elevator doors, and will not automatically open again “if they close on your arm, leg or purse,” and another that gives the same old spiel about not eating, drinking or smoking in stations or on trains. What do you think of the new messages?

Photo by lightboxdc