Some drivers continue to charge above approved fares

Accra, Feb. 21 GNA - Some passengers on Monday called government to put pressure on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to ensure that its members adhered to the new approved fares that were announced by last Friday after the fuel price hike.

This was because some drivers were still charging above the 30 per cent approved fares, they said.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited Tema Station Lorry Park in Accra, some passengers and drivers said even though they were not against the fuel price increase they thought it could have been effected gradually.

Mr William Oquaye, Chairman of the Tema Station-La Trade Fair/Kojo Sardine Driver's Union, said since the announcement of the new fuel prices, other products such as brake fluid and spare parts had also gone up.

He said the union was adhering to the approved fares of 1,700 and 1,600 cedis for the La Trade Fair and Kojo Sardine routes respectively.

He said since they started charging the new fares, passengers had not complained because they themselves understood the situation. Mr. Theophilius Quarcoo, Station Master for Korle-bu/Mamprobi/Kamara Trotro Drivers Union, said the new fares were not communicated to the union in time, hence some members were taking advantage to charge unapproved fares.

He said the union on Monday morning calculated the 30 per cent approved fares and were now charging 1,600 and 1,400 cedis for Mamprobi/Kamara and Korle-bu respectively.

He said some passengers had complained about the new fares, but they managed to explain the situation to them.

Ms Mercy Otoo, who boarded a Peugeot caravan from Swanlake Last Stop to Nkrumah Circle, said drivers plying that route were cheating passengers.

She said instead of 1,700 cedis, drivers were charging 2,000 cedis.