A service access assembly for an elevator car includes an elevator car 10 having an interior region 18. Also included is at least one upright structure 26 operatively coupled to the elevator car proximate one of a plurality of side walls 16 of the elevator car, the upright structure extending in a longitudinal direction from the car floor 14 to the car roof 12. Further included is an access opening defined by the upright structure, the access opening accessible to the interior region of the elevator car for service activity by a user located in the interior region. Yet further included is at least one piece of equipment (22, 24) operatively coupled to the upright structure and partially protruding through the access opening.