Mashhad Cemetery Requests Taxi Organization’s Assistance in Transporting the Deceased

The head of Mashhad Municipality’s Taxi Organization said that upon the request of the Ferdows Organization (cemeteries), a call has been sent to van taxi drivers to assist Reza (AS) and Rezavan paradises, and those who wish can submit their requests.

According to Fekr-e Shahr report from ISNA, Ahmad Mohammadi regarding the following SMS based on: “Considering the start of the fifth wave of coronavirus and the decrease in travel demand, and given the announcement of the Ferdows Organization regarding the shortage of ambulances for transporting coronavirus victims from Rezavan paradise to burial sites, respected taxi drivers who wish to cooperate with the Ferdows Organization in transporting the deceased (after the complete washing and disinfection process while observing all health standards with no risk whatsoever to taxi drivers) are requested to announce their readiness within 24 hours by sending their national code to the short message system 30001305. It is obvious that the service fee will be announced subsequently,” which has been sent to van drivers.

He stated: Due to the increase in the number of deceased, the Ferdows Organization is facing a shortage of ambulances. Based on this, they have announced the need for service and transportation of bodies within Reza (AS) or Rezavan paradise and sent this message. An example of this work was done for the Postal Administration last year, and at that time, about 70 vehicles helped that administration upon its request. Now, with the decrease in pilgrims, the situation of van vehicles is somewhat sluggish, and they can cooperate with the Ferdows Organization to operate there for a few days.

He stated: It is possible that some families may want to bury their deceased elsewhere, therefore the cemetery’s vehicle traveling back and forth is time-consuming. For this purpose, van vehicles can help, and for transporting 3,000 to 4,000 meters, instead of people carrying the body on their hands to the block and burial site, they can transport it by vehicle.

Mohammadi, in response to a question about whether these vehicles will be used between urban points like Reza and Rezavan paradises which are far apart, said: These vehicles will mainly be used within the cemeteries themselves, and of course this is a matter that will be agreed upon between the Ferdows Organization and drivers after announcing cooperation.

The head of Mashhad Municipality’s Taxi Organization stated: Interested drivers can submit their requests until tomorrow. We will introduce these people to the Ferdows Organization, and they will discuss wages with that organization. The organization may also use vans to transport the bereaved or, by removing the seats inside the vehicle, use them to carry bodies. In any case, all our efforts are to help the colleagues of the Ferdows Organization in this critical situation with voluntary work.

Mohammadi added: Also, considering that drivers are in the private sector and the vehicle is under their control and not the taxi organization’s, we can only make announcements. Perhaps someone may want to help since we have many dedicated and revolutionary individuals among taxi drivers. Like the nights of Qadr when we make announcements and if someone wishes to serve the people.

He noted: It should be mentioned that this call has only been sent to Mashhad van taxis and not all taxis, and that vans on special routes such as railway and airport in no way can abandon their locations. This call is for vans other than special routes. Special route vans like the railway must provide their services, and it is not befitting the city that our services decrease in such places.

Source: Fekr-e Shahr