Aunik, RTA and NETS launch Dubai Taxis for hospitals

Non-Emergency Transport Services (NETS) in association with RTA has launched Aunik, dedicated taxis in Dubai, offering specialised service round the clock.

The first of its kind service in the region, Aunik taxis are equipped with wheelchair lift, customised seating facilities for patients as well as a trained driver.

The vehicles are designed for non-emergency travel for patients who require regular trips to hospitals as well as picking up and dropping of patients from hospitals who cannot travel by regular vehicles.

Dubai becomes the third city in the world after London and Dublin to have such a service, with 10 dedicated vehicles deployed in phase one. The number of vehicles is likely to grow in the next phase.

However, the taxis cannot pick up customers from other emirates for now, but can drop patients from hospitals in Dubai to other emirates.

The taxis can be hired through phone by calling 04-4150000 or from hospital receptions as well as from outside the hospitals.

Starting fare for the Aunik taxis differ depending on how a person avails of the service. Aunik taxis could be hired from outside the hospitals for a starting fare of Dh5, while those booked through call centres or through hospital receptions will have a starting fare of Dh8. An additional Dh10 will be charged for wheelchairs.

The Aunik taxi is different from RTA’s regular handicap taxi service in more ways than one and both the services will operate simultaneously.

These taxis are not for people with special needs alone. We have seen a need to serve patients who don’t need ambulances to transport them but they also can’t travel by regular vehicles. Certain people post-surgery or dialysis patients need special vehicles to travel. These vehicles will offer great comfort to them.

via GulfNews.