On February 8, 2015 the Baumanskaya Metro Station, in Moscow, closed for 11 months of renovations. The renovations will include changing its escalators, which were installed with its opening in 1944. They are currently the oldest working tunnel type escalators in the world, as well as the oldest in Moscow, with oak handrails. Renovation of the vestibule and the station are also planned.

But I'm personally not as interested in the technical or architectural aspects (although it's also interesting), but rather the undertaking of the notification of passengers about its swift closing. It's no secret that the method of notification by loudspeaker, which has been in practice for many years, has not been working for awhile. By now everyone has built up an immunity to them and many individuals wear headphones.

Aside from loudspeaker notification, the Metro Station used extensive methods to notify passengers of the closing. At the entrance passengers are greeted by signs with information about the closing (aside from those big ones, which are in the main entrance image above). The notifications themselves:

In the vestibule. By the cash registers, the turnstiles, and the bottom red stall for paper booklets; but I didn't find them.

Immediately at the exits:

On the way down it's more impactful as absolutely all the banners on the incline are identical. Better more, than less?

In my opinion, maximum notification was provided. It's amazing that they haven't written about the closing on the floor yet. The only thing is that they warned the passengers only at the station itself and a wider notification campaign has not been executed. How can it be announced to the rest of the metro users? Not by hanging banners like that around all the metro stations, and few people, as I already said, pay attention to audio announcements. In the meantime, a massive map replacement has started in metro cars and stations.

P.S. The metro tickets will also have a new design.

What are the notification rules or laws in your city for public closures? How can passengers be notified appropriately about a metro station closing? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments area below. 

Original article, originally published in Russian, here.

Credits: Images by Arkady Gershman. Data linked to sources.