Upgrades at China Rail Station Include Escalators

A recent upgrade, including a new walkway and escalators, at Zhengjia Yuanzi Station of Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT) Line 3 in Chongqing, China, has greatly improved commuting for local residents, iChongqing reports. The Zhengjia Yuanzi Station upgrade was driven by local demand for better metro access. “We leveraged the 30-m height difference between the community and the main road to build a new walkway and install an escalator, cutting the walking distance by 550 m and benefiting 5,000 residents,” said He Yuanqing, an official from Yubei District. The covered walkway and escalator directly connect the Jinzi Mountain community to Zhengjia Yuanzi Station. This project is part of Chongqing’s “Downtown Metro Station Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement” initiative, launched in 2021. In that time, 60 stations have undergone upgrades, including new pedestrian paths, repairs and the addition of elevators and escalators, improving access to key urban areas such as residential neighborhoods, business districts, hospitals and schools. In 2024, 15 more stations were scheduled for upgrades, and 13 have already been completed.