An escalator system includes a pit having an access cover plate, a detector indicating when the access cover plate is open and when it is closed, and a user interface which is located in said pit and which in an active state provides the escalator system with control signals controlling the operation of the escalator and which in a passive state does not affect the operation of the escalator. In order to improve the safety of the escalator system the escalator system is configured to stop movement of the escalator if the detector indicates that the access cover plate is closed while the user interface is in the active state.