Blinkit Ambulance to charge ₹2,500 for non-emergency trips amid misuse

Blinkit Ambulance, a free service offered by the quick commerce company, has announced it will now charge Rs 2,500 for non-emergency transfers. The company clarified that emergency transfers will remain free, as they always have. The fee for non-emergency transfers is comparable to what private ambulances charge. Deepinder Goyal, the Zomato founder, stated in a post on X that the money raised will go to the Eternal Foundation, which manages these ambulances, and will help expand their reach.

Blinkit Ambulance was initially launched with a spirit of service, and in the past two years, it has carried out approximately 20,000 emergency cases and over 42,000 total cases. Goyal emphasized that no charges were imposed on these emergency cases, and they aspire to maintain this policy. The service change was prompted by the fact that a significant number of bookings are now for routine checkups, hospital visits, and hospital-to-home transfers.

Goyal explained that each of these non-emergency bookings requires a fully-equipped emergency ambulance with paramedics. When he mentioned that he founded Zomato with a spirit of service, Blinkit Ambulance served as a manifestation of that service. In the last two years, the company has served around 20,000 emergency cases, totaling approximately 42,000 cases.

Goyal expressed hope that this new charge would significantly reduce the use of Blinkit Ambulances for non-emergency cases. He stressed that "10-minute ambulances have saved and can save thousands of lives," and it is crucial to keep them available for emergencies that require immediate attention. Goyal also highlighted the challenge of providing free ambulance services, which lies in the availability of paramedics.

However, he added that they plan to introduce Blinkit Ambulances to all major cities in the country within the next 2-4 years.