The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has warned that it will persist in arresting commercial bus drivers who charge passengers fares above the approved rates, following the arrest of over 100 drivers in Accra over the past two weeks.
Speaking to journalists, National Guard Commander of the GPRTU, Drumond Ekow Gaisie, said the drivers and conductors were handed over to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, cautioned, and released.
“We have 106 drivers who have been arrested and handed over to the police,” he confirmed.
Mr Gaisie explained that many of the offences involve drivers taking passengers on “short shots,” picking up and dropping off the same passengers multiple times to charge excess fares. “For instance, you’re going to Madina. They will take you from Accra to 37, then alight you. The same car will pick the same people from there to Legon, then alight them again, and then pick them from there to Madina. Straight to Madina, we have three cars at the moment. That is the offence they have been committing,” he said.
He also noted that drivers on routes such as Accra to Kasoa and Kaneshie to Kasoa have been charging significantly more than the approved fares.
“Instead of charging 10 cedis from here to Accra, they take 50 cedis,” he added, citing specific examples of overcharging.
The GPRTU operation is part of ongoing efforts to enforce fare compliance in the capital, where unregulated charges have long frustrated commuters.
The union has repeatedly stressed that drivers must adhere to the official fare schedule set by transport authorities to ensure fairness and transparency.
Mr Gaisie confirmed that the union will continue monitoring commercial drivers and warned that non-compliant operators will face repeated arrests until full compliance is achieved.
About the Author
