05-23-2021, 11:31 AM
We've discussed this a number of times already and I won't convince ac3r and I also don't expect to be convinced. 
But I will point out that there (by my count) only 19 90-degree turns, once both directions are counted, or about 10 per direction. The total time lost to these stations is a relatively small portion of the total end-to-end travel time. And at least some of these turns could be improved in the future without going underground. The easiest way to reduce travel times, though, remains through an increase in speeds, a decrease in dwell times and the granting of signal priority, all of which would have rather low hard costs.
And, finally, grade-separated stations will always be less convenient for passengers, no matter how many elevators or escalators are put in.
But I will point out that there (by my count) only 19 90-degree turns, once both directions are counted, or about 10 per direction. The total time lost to these stations is a relatively small portion of the total end-to-end travel time. And at least some of these turns could be improved in the future without going underground. The easiest way to reduce travel times, though, remains through an increase in speeds, a decrease in dwell times and the granting of signal priority, all of which would have rather low hard costs.
And, finally, grade-separated stations will always be less convenient for passengers, no matter how many elevators or escalators are put in.