Utrecht to begin charging companies fees for elevator rescues
The Utrecht Safety Region (VRU) announced that they will begin billing elevator companies for non-emergency responses to trapped elevators starting December 1, 2025. The policy applies to the entire Utrecht region.
According to the VRU, the new policy aims to reduce unnecessary deployments, which have been straining resources. “Too often, the VRU must act as a maintenance service, while responsibility for malfunctions lies with the elevator companies,” the regional authority said.
The VRU clarified that the fire department will continue to respond immediately and free of charge in cases involving dangerous or medical emergencies. For non-urgent calls, the fire department will still respond if the repair technician is unavailable or too far away, but the elevator company will now be required to cover the cost.
According to the VRU, the decision follows repeated instances in which the fire department was dispatched for minor malfunctions, "even though responsibility for elevator breakdowns lies with the companies."
