Uniform ambulance rates fixed in MMRTA region

The residents of Thane and Mumbai metropolitan region can soon expect uniform tariff charges. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority (MMRTA) has come up with fixed rates for all kinds of ambulances based on the vehicle make and services provided.

Looks like the arbitrary fleecing of patients and their relatives is likely to stop, as the MMRTA has come up with a uniform tariff card for the entire RTO (regional transport office) within its jurisdiction. The rate for a Maruti van ambulance is Rs500 per 25 kilometer or two hours and Rs10 per kilometer. Similarly, for a Tata Sumo or Matador make ambulance, it is Rs500 per 25 kilometer or two hours and Rs 14 per kilometer. And for ambulance with intensive care unit (ICU) or air conditioners, the rate is Rs850 and Rs 17 per kilometer.

The authority has also specified that there will be no waiting charges for the first hour and Rs50 – as waiting charges for every hour after that. The above rates are applicable in Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and others which come under the purview of MMRTA.

Speaking of the ambulance charges, Thane activist Nainesh Dolas says, people will be able to benefit from this provided adequate awareness created about it. "The rate card should be displayed outside civil, municipal and various hospitals. The RTO which registers and gives licenses to these ambulances should also display the tariff in their compound," he says. "Moreover, the RTO should take stringent action against those who violate the norms and exploit harried patients," he adds.

The uniform tariff is the result of Dolas public interest litigation (PIL) in the honorable HC in the year 2013, because of which, the HC directed Laxman P Khade, deputy transport commissioner, Maharashtra, to fix fare or rates for ambulance as early as possible, and in any case on or before October 31, 2013.