Pune: The regional transport authority (RTA), headed by the Pune district collector, has revised the charges of private ambulances operating in the Pune district. The revised rates were decided during a meeting held last week.According to officials with the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), rates for converted Maruti vans have been fixed at Rs 700 for the first 24km or one hour, followed by Rs 16 per km and Rs 125 per hour for waiting. The 24-hour rate has been fixed at Rs 4,000.Similarly, for Maruti Eco/Tata Magic ambulances, the corresponding charges are Rs 900, Rs 17 per km, Rs 125 waiting charge and Rs 4,500 for 24 hours, officials said.For Mahindra Bolero/Force Cruiser ambulances, the rates are Rs 1,200 for the first 24km, Rs 18 per km thereafter, Rs 150 per waiting hour and Rs 6,000 for 24 hours. Force Traveller CNG ambulances will charge Rs 1,500 initially, Rs 22 per km, Rs 175 per waiting hour and Rs 7,000 for 24 hours. For larger Force Tempo Traveller CNG ambulances, the rates have been fixed at Rs 2,500, Rs 30 per km, Rs 250 per waiting hour and Rs 10,000 for 24 hours.“The ambulance operators should clearly inform patients and attendants about applicable charges and should not impose unauthorised additional charges or else they will be fined heavily. Operators are also advised to maintain proper records of trips and charges collected,” an RTO official said.
