Questions and answers elevators Mandela Bridge
How do I know if the elevators are working?
Please visit zoetermeer.nl/mandelabrug for the most up-to-date situation known to us.
Why are the elevators broken so often?
Elevators in public spaces turn out to be very vulnerable. Sometimes due to accidents and sometimes due to vandalism. In addition, the elevators are widely used by cyclists and mopeds, which also leads to more breakdowns.
Are the broken elevators related to the removed section of the bridge at the end of 2023?
No, there is no relationship between the faults in the elevators and the removed bridge section. The faults are related to the use of the elevators and sometimes to vandalism.
How many outages have there been?
Every outage is one too many. From January 1, 2025 to September 1, 2025, there have been 26 reports of failures on the Rokkeveen side and 16 on the Boerhaavelaan side. Elevator availability on the Rokkeveen side is 83% over the last 12 months. The elevator on the Boerhaavelaan side scores 96%.
What is the municipality doing to prevent the breakdowns and downtime as much as possible?
As soon as a report is received by the municipality, it is dealt with urgently and tried to solve it as soon as possible. There have also been discussions with the elevator supplier about possible solutions. The solutions are currently being worked out, after which they will be considered.
Why aren't the elevators fixed on the same day?
The goal is to have the elevator working properly and safely the same day. When parts are broken, they must be ordered and delivered. Parts may not be in stock which means waiting for deliveries and the elevator may be at a standstill.
As a municipality, we understand that this is not desirable. Therefore, since the October 2024 outages, we have been holding the most sensitive parts in reserve in order to act quickly.
What does the municipality do to help residents reach their destination?
In principle, the escalator offers a good alternative for many people. The moment both elevators on one of the bridge sides are down (and this is known to the municipality) we make sure that people in wheelchairs are taken to the other side of the A12 by cab. Unfortunately, this is not possible for mobility scooter users. They then have to make a temporary detour. When the intercom of the elevator is broken, the municipality makes sure that there is someone at the elevator to help and guide people.
What alternative routes can I use to get to the other side of the highway?
Alternative routes to get to the other side of the Nelson Mandela Bridge include the Balij Bridge or the Wethouder Jenné Tunnel.