Govt to expand emergency ambulance services through app-based aggregators

Patna: The state govt is planning to expand emergency ambulance services through app-based transport aggregators, including Ola, Uber, Rapido and Sawari Mithila, to improve passenger convenience and access to emergency transportation. The companies have been directed to submit reports on the proposed services within a week, transport department secretary Raj Kumar said on Friday.The directions were issued during a review meeting at the transport department headquarters with representatives of the aggregator companies. The meeting assessed compliance with earlier instructions issued following discussions with app-based service providers and motor cab drivers’ associations.The department has also asked the companies to introduce chatbot facilities in Hindi and English to help passengers and drivers access information and resolve service-related problems. Aggregators have been asked to establish call-support systems to address drivers’ complaints promptly and ensure that only eligible commercial vehicles are attached to their platforms.Officials also reviewed provisions relating to night charges, ride-cancellation fees, passenger information and broadcasting systems. The companies have been asked to increase the duration of broadcast messages from two seconds to 10 seconds so users can understand the information.“The department has identified eight major areas requiring compliance. These include establishing local offices in Bihar, providing call support for drivers, offering bilingual chatbots, extending broadcast message duration, ensuring clarity on night and cancellation charges, preparing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for driver ID suspension, attaching only commercial vehicles and arranging designated parking facilities for aggregator vehicles at airports,” Raj Kumar said.The proposed SOP for suspending driver IDs is intended to ensure adherence to the principles of natural justice. Companies have also been asked to complete the process of signing a memorandum of understanding with the Airport Authority to identify suitable parking areas for their vehicles.During the review, Raj Kumar examined compliance reports submitted by the companies. Ola and Uber were issued show-cause notices and directed to submit compliance reports by Oct 30, 2026.“App-based transport services must operate in accordance with prescribed rules. The directions were aimed at improving passenger services, resolving drivers’ grievances and ensuring greater transparency in operations. All companies must comply within the stipulated deadlines,” Raj Kumar said.State transport commissioner Arif Ahsan said special attention was being given to passenger convenience, drivers’ concerns and regulatory compliance.“Officials have been instructed to monitor implementation, verify compliance where necessary and take appropriate action. Failure to follow the prescribed directions could lead to cancellation of the licence of the concerned aggregator company,” Ahsan added.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.