W. K. Lis
Superstar
That time the subway had a moving sidewalk
Read More: http://www.blogto.com/city/2014/01/that_time_the_subway_had_a_moving_sidewalk/
.....
When the Spadina line opened in the 1970s, the long walk was made easier by a lengthy moving sidewalk that simultaneously delighted and enraged subway users. It was one of the most interesting features of the subway system - and a hell of a lot of fun for kids - but it was also expensive to maintain, prone to break down, and ultimately went the way of the Dodo in 2004 when the TTC decided that it just wasn't worth the money to keep.
- When the Spadina Extension was built in 1978, the current north/south platforms were initially designed to be a separate station altogether, one which would go by the name Lowther, after the street which runs immediately to the south of the station. In the end, the TTC had a change of heart and decided to build the 150 metre long walkway to link the two stations under the the same designation. There are a couple of reasons why they did this. Aside from the obvious savings on staffing costs (the north/portion of Spadina Station does not feature a fare collector), Transit Toronto explains that concerns about the financial viability of the University Line might have played a role.
.....
Probably, a non-transit user considered those as a waste of money and had them removed, instead of replacing them. Personally, I would have split them, so that in case of breakdown, just maybe half would be out of service.