According to Han Chao, a staff member responsible for long-distance transportation for the 120 emergency center, the illegal ambulances usually attract patients by offering fees that are almost half the cost of authorized ambulances. However, patients later find themselves paying more because they have to pay extra for the medical staff and medical equipment.

"Some patients end up paying a lot for these so-called extra services, including 800-yuan ($125) for oxygen and 5,000 yuan for an accompanying doctor," said Han.

Han said, despite this, underground ambulances have been proliferating due to the high demand.

"The main reason for the rampant rise in 'black ambulances' is the shortage of authorized emergency ambulances in the capital," said Han.

According to Li, the 140 emergency ambulances in the capital are mainly used for emergency rescues and only 10 are used for transporting patients between hospitals.

"With some 1,000 patients demanding emergency transportation, 10 ambulances are simply not enough," said Li.

Li said the solution to curbing the rampant rise in illegal ambulances is to increase the number of authorized ambulances in the city.

Despite the official crackdown and some complaints from patients, the illegal ambulances have also received some praise as well.

A 36-year-old businessman surnamed Li in Puyang in Central China's Henan province who took an illegal ambulance from home and sent his father-in-law to the capital for heart treatment in China's People's Liberation Army 307 Hospital said he was satisfied with their service.

"They only charged me 4,000 yuan for 500 kilometers, which was much cheaper than the 120 center," said Li. "We rented a attendant and an oxygen tank in the van and the service was not bad."

China Daily