A braking system for escalators and moving walkways, includes a braking device (3) with a main brake (30) of the type which is released when there is no voltage in its electric activator, and an auxiliary brake (31) of the type which is closed when there is no voltage in its electric activator. A controller (1) controls the braking device (3), prepared for obtaining the load of the escalator or moving walkway, and calculates the braking torque required for each braking device (3) depending on the load and activating the braking device (3) for obtaining the corresponding torque while braking when a braking command is received. The auxiliary brake is activated (32) for taking the escalators or moving walkway to a safe position when there is a system failure.