Surat civic body increases rates for mortuary vans, ambulances

Rising fuel and operational costs are bothering everybody, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) being no exception. The civic body has hiked fares of its ambulance and mortuary vans with effect from December. Civic authorities say the hike was unavoidable.

The standing committee on Thursday approved the hike. The new rates are three to four times higher. The minimum rate within city limits has been raised from Rs12 for first one hour to Rs40. The customer has to pay Rs30 for every additional hour as against the old rate of Rs10. 

Similarly, per kilometer rate of ambulance for out-station trips has been increased from Rs5 to Rs8. Mukesh Dalal, chairman of standing committee said that rising fuel costs and increased operational & maintenance costs have forced the hike. He claimed that the hike is lower than what has been made by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.