A passenger conveyor system (20) automatically reduces the speed of the conveyor responsive to a request from one or more potential passengers. In one example, a controller (32) receives information regarding a wirelessly transmitted signal (42) received by a receiver (34). The controller (32) gradually reduces the speed of the conveyor for a travel time of such a passenger and then subsequently gradually increases the speed to the normal operating speed. A variety of signaling devices (40) may be used and preferably are portable and carried about by individuals so that a separate mechanical switch need not be made part of the physical conveyor system.
