In connection with a drive for escalators or moving sidewalks that is mounted within the step or pallet belt and comprises a distributor gear with two output shafts, specifically one for the handrail and one for the step or pallet belt, whereby each output shaft is provided with a drive gear for driving the output shaft, as well as an assembly unit mounted between the drive shafts for the distributor gear, the latter comprising a least one electric motor, the goal is to improve such a drive by particularly simplifying its assembly and using components that are simpler with respect to their design and therefore less costly. This is accomplished in that the electric motor (1), the planetary gear (2) and a drive step (9, 7, 8) linked with the power take-off of the planetary gear (2) for the direct drive of at least the drive gear (10) of the output shaft (12) for the step or pallet belt, are combined in one single assembly unit (3) that can be secured on the distributor gear.