Altbach's high-rise residents trapped for months by broken lift delays

A high-rise building in Altbach, Baden-Württemberg, has faced months without a working lift. The outage began in late July 2022 and dragged on due to repeated delays in receiving replacement car parts. Residents endured the disruption for far longer than initially expected.

The problem wasn't isolated. Across the region, lifts at Bad Cannstatt station, Bernhausen S-Bahn station, and Herrenberg station also suffered prolonged closures. Each location experienced delays stretching from several months to over a year, all linked to supply chain issues and repair setbacks.

The Altbach lift first broke down when vandals caused significant damage. Both the outer shaft door and an inner cabin door required full replacement. Initial estimates suggested a twelve-week wait for the necessary auto parts.

Yet complications with a subcontractor pushed the delivery back by another ten weeks. The total repair cost climbed to around €20,000. While residents waited, similar struggles unfolded elsewhere.

At Bad Cannstatt station, a lift remained out of service for five months, from November 2022 to March 2023. Bernhausen S-Bahn station faced months of delays, with repairs dragging on until December 2023. Herrenberg station's lift stayed non-functional until October 2023. In each case, modernisation work or essential repairs were stalled by the same persistent issue: missing parts and extended lead times.

The repeated delays highlight ongoing challenges in securing critical components for lift repairs. Residents and commuters in Altbach and beyond have had to adapt to long-term disruptions. With repair bills rising and timelines stretching, the impact of supply chain issues continues to affect daily life across the region.