Escalators, Travellators and Lifts for Shopping Centres in PNG

Shopping centres depend on vertical transport. Escalators, travellators and lifts move shoppers, tenants and goods between levels all day. When one stops, foot traffic backs up, tenants complain and the centre's reputation takes a hit.

This guide covers what centre owners and managers should know about shopping centre escalators, travellators and lifts in Papua New Guinea, with examples from our work in Port Moresby.

Proven in Port Moresby Retail


JD Elevators PNG supplied and installed the lifts, escalators and travellators at Rangeview Plaza, a retail and commercial complex in Port Moresby. We also delivered lift installation and servicing at the Moki Building for Lamana Development Limited.

“Their ability to handle complex, large-scale installations makes JD Elevators PNG a trusted and reliable partner for future developments.” Lamana Development Limited

Every Type of Vertical Transport a Centre Needs


  • Escalators to move shoppers between retail levels
  • Travellators or moving walks, including inclined units suited to shoppers with trolleys
  • Passenger lifts for accessible access, prams and car park levels
  • Goods lifts for tenant deliveries and stock

Safety in High-Traffic Areas


Escalators and travellators in shopping centres carry large crowds, including children and older shoppers. Worn steps, comb plates, handrails and safety switches all need regular checks. Our guide to escalator maintenance in high-traffic buildings explains why.

Maintenance That Keeps the Centre Trading


Servicing should be planned outside peak trading hours wherever possible, with clear signage and safe barriers when units are out of service. A proper maintenance programme for escalators and moving walks reduces unplanned stoppages, which are far more disruptive than scheduled work.

PNG's power environment adds another layer. Voltage fluctuations can damage drives and control systems, which is why power protection is worth considering for busy centres.

Planning a New Centre or Extension


Vertical transport is easier to get right at design stage than to fix later. When planning a new centre or extension, think about:

  • How shoppers will move between levels at the busiest times of day and year
  • Where escalators, travellators and lifts sit in relation to entrances, car parks and anchor tenants
  • Separate goods lifts so deliveries do not compete with shoppers
  • Access for maintenance, so units can be serviced safely with minimal disruption

Our installation team can work with your architect and builder from early design through to handover.

Questions for Centre Managers


  1. When were our escalators and travellators last fully inspected?Ask for written condition reports, not just a sign-off.
  2. Can servicing happen outside trading hours?Agree a schedule that protects your busiest periods.
  3. Who responds to a stoppage, and how fast?In Port Moresby, our team responds to emergency callouts within 20 minutes.
  4. Are any units due for modernisation?An inspection can show which equipment to maintain and which to upgrade.

Related Guides


Keep Your Centre Moving

Our technicians are based in Port Moresby and serve buildings across PNG and the Pacific. Tell us about your building and we will recommend the right next step.

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