DC EFFECT|Ambulances fleecing Corona clients come under scanner

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NELLORE: Triggered by news published in these columns on April 30 that ambulance operators are fleecing Covid-19 clients, particularly those
bound for cities like Chennai, Transport Department has formed teams to keep a close watch on charges being required by these
operators.Nellore area Deputy Transport Commissioner C.H.V.K
Subba Rao announced that all ambulances are under their scanner
They will not spare any operator who is found making use of Corona patients or their families by charging more than the rates fixed just
recently by the Transport Department
According to the commissioner, hire charges for ambulances to Chennai are Rs 11,000 for Advanced Life Support System (ALS)-geared up Omnis
and Rs 20,000 for ALS Tempos, the distance being roughly 400 km.For Tirupati (300 km), the rates are Rs 9,000 for ALS-equipped Omnis and Rs
16,500 for ALS Tempos
The exact same for Hyderabad (900 km) are Rs 23,000 and Rs 45,000 respectively
In case of Bengaluru (900 km), the charges are Rs 21,000 and Rs 40,000
The charges are inclusive of chauffeur batta
But oxygen rates are additional at Rs 3 per km
Patients need to pay separately for ventilator specialists if their services are needed
With regard to transport of Covid clients in your area, the transportation department has actually repaired Rs 2,600 plus oxygen charges of
Rs 400 (if utilised) for distances varying from 0 to 20 km for ALS Omni vehicles
The ceiling for such paces is Rs 4,000 and oxygen charges of Rs 400 (if required)
Deputy Transport Commissioner Subba Rao stated clients can contact motor vehicle inspectors in case ambulance operators demand charges
greater than those repaired by the department
Contact varieties of MVIs are 7382708999 (Sunil), 9177216039 (Madhava Rao), 9246844242 (Bhaskar Rao) and 9121221115 (Balakrishna)
Referring to DC report of over Rs 25,000 gathered by an ambulance operator from a client Siddique for taking him to Chennai for treatment,
the officer said they have collected information from the victim to start action against the operator.