VIDEO // Pilot program to modernize elevators in residential blocks

The Government of the Republic of Moldova is launching a pilot program to modernize and replace elevators in residential blocks, an initiative aimed at increasing tenant safety and improving accessibility in residential buildings. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, who explained that the program comes in response to numerous issues reported by condominium owners’ associations regarding the technical condition of elevators in many cities across the country.

According to the official, a large share of elevators currently in use are outdated and have exceeded their recommended operational lifetime. In the city of Cahul, for example, there are approximately 20 elevators with an average age of 15–20 years, as the housing stock is relatively new. Of these, 18 are managed by condominium owners’ associations or private operators.

The situation is much more complex in other cities. In Orhei, there are about 230 elevators in operation, with an average age of around 25–30 years, most of which are currently undergoing technical evaluation. All this equipment is also managed by owners’ associations or private operators.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea emphasized that many of the old elevators are still operating with Soviet-type motors and installations that no longer meet current standards.

“Old elevators are in many cases operating with Soviet-type motors and installations; they are of very poor quality and, according to European Union regulations, noise levels and electricity consumption far exceed today’s permitted limits for residents’ comfort,” the minister stated.

The authorities warn that the problem is worsening year by year. In the absence of interventions, the number of elevators exceeding their service life increases annually by approximately 150–200 units. The situation has been repeatedly signaled by the heads of residents’ associations, and the Ministry of Infrastructure began looking for solutions as early as last autumn, following consultations with their representatives.

“We have been working practically since October with the heads of housing associations and have been in constant discussion about the problems they face. In the end, we came up with this project as a response to the needs of residents in the cities of the Republic of Moldova,” Bolea said.

The main objective of the pilot program is to increase safety in residential blocks and improve accessibility for residents, especially for elderly people and those with reduced mobility. The deputy prime minister noted that the urban population, like the population across the country, is aging, and infrastructure must be adapted to this reality.

“We must show particular care for elderly people and their mobility. Many of them live alone, and we must ensure they can move around in safe conditions. At the same time, people with special needs must be able to use these elevators without difficulty,” the minister underlined.

Another advantage of modern elevators is the significant reduction in energy consumption. According to estimates presented by Vladimir Bolea, the new equipment can have electricity consumption that is about 40% lower. This is directly reflected in the utility bills of residents, who also bear the costs for the energy consumed by elevators. The program will initially have an implementation period of one year and will function as a pilot project. In this phase, the government has allocated a budget of 40 million lei for elevator modernization and replacement works.

The project provides for several types of interventions: complete replacement of elevators in critical condition, modernization of equipment to allow efficient technical interventions, rehabilitation of related structural components, and modernization of electrical and safety systems. Within the program, only condominium owners’ associations will be eligible to submit applications.

Each association will be able to apply with one project for a single residential block. The call for project submissions will be open from April 1 to April 30, and applications will be submitted online to ensure transparency of the process, on a “first come, first served” basis. After the application period ends, the authorities will analyze each project individually, taking into account several criteria. These include the degree of deterioration of the elevator, the presence of elderly people or persons with disabilities in the building, as well as the number of families with children.

“We are interested in intervening first in blocks where the degree of deterioration is highest and where there are vulnerable people who depend on the elevator’s operation,” the deputy prime minister explained.

Depending on the technical condition of the elevators, some will undergo major repairs, while others will be fully replaced. According to the ministry’s estimates, the cost of a new, state-of-the-art elevator is approximately 700,000–800,000 lei, while capital repair can reach about half of that amount. The authorities intend, after the completion of the pilot phase, to evaluate the results and the actual investment needs in order to extend the program nationwide.

Based on this data, the Ministry of Infrastructure will be able to request additional resources from the Ministry of Finance to continue the project in the coming years. At the same time, the program also has an additional role: encouraging the creation of condominium owners’ associations where they do not yet exist. According to Vladimir Bolea, the existence of these structures is essential for accessing investment programs in residential blocks, including those in which the state can cover up to 70% of the cost of the works.

“We are developing infrastructure together with the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, through projects with social, economic and development impact. Our goal is to make people’s lives more comfortable and safer,” the deputy prime minister concluded.