The problem with that though is these activities are a long version of what goes on 'behind the scenes' in the station menu. Find a contact on foot, or go to a menu? You could have both, but then you are replicating a slow version of what already exists- I can imagine a lot of people doing that once and then simply using the menu.
X:Rebirth/X4 does it that way. For what it is worth, I couldnt care less if some others want to skip the legs part and use a menu, their choice. Just give me the option to walk around. Besides, a LOT of options very much are not 'a long version of [x]'. Going EVA, entering a derelict wreck and searching for stuff is hardly 'a long version of pointing and waiting', unless you think the entire space flight part could just as well be replaced by a menu too.
There will always be people who want to do the fastest, quickest and most boring option available, that is no reason to not give the rest of us something to do.