WMATA used a tongue-in-cheek July 28 social post to remind riders of the informal D.C. escalator rule: stand on the right, walk on the left. The agency mimicked a viral “Netflix documentary” trend and blurred faces in the clip to avoid singling people out. The short video has been viewed over 90,000 times on TikTok and earned more than 40,000 likes on Instagram, drawing praise from commuters. The exchange highlights how a small etiquette rule can spark broad local discussion.
WMATA Mocks Escalator Etiquette With Viral 'Documentary' Post — Stand Right, Walk Left
Watch Metro poke fun about unwritten rule in Washington DC area
WMATA used a playful social-media post to spotlight a well-known, unofficial rule in the Washington, D.C., area: stand on the right, walk on the left when riding escalators. The convention—meant to keep pedestrian traffic flowing—applies across the transit agency’s more than 600 Metro escalators, even though it’s not part of Metro’s formal rider guidelines.
On July 28, WMATA leaned into a popular online trend that parodies everyday annoyances as dramatic “Netflix documentary” trailers. The agency posted a short, tongue-in-cheek video captioned,
"Getting ready for our documentary on people who stand on the left side of the escalators."The clip shows riders standing on the left; WMATA blurred faces so the reminder wouldn’t single people out.
Why It Matters
The standing-right/walking-left practice developed organically as a practical solution to congestion in one of the nation’s busiest transit systems. By keeping one side clear, commuters in a hurry can move faster through stations during peak periods while other riders remain stationary.
The post resonated online: the video has been viewed more than 90,000 times on TikTok and received over 40,000 likes on Instagram. Commenters largely praised Metro for calling attention to the regional custom—many offering jokes, personal takes and stories about educating new riders.
Mike Stunson, a Washington, D.C.-based reporter covering trends and regional news for USA TODAY’s DC Connect team, reported on the episode.
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