Kerala standardises ambulance fares

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to address issues related to overcharging, the transport department has brought in standardised tariffs and rates for ambulances across the state. The fares have been fixed for five categories of ambulances for a minimum of 20 km (including return distance). The base tariff ranges from Rs 600 to Rs 2,500 in these categories. The new tariff will be displayed inside the vehicle.

“This is the first time in the country that a state is fixing the rates for ambulances,” said Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar.

The minister said the ambulance owners’ associations have agreed to transport accident victims to the nearest hospital free of cost and also offered a 2% discount per km for all cancer patients and those under the age of 12.