The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has asked passengers to resist any unapproved fares from public transport operators, popularly known as trotro.
The Union has urged the public to report drivers who flout the rule to charge arbitrary fares, while issuing a stern warning to perpetrators of such act to desist from it.
Abass Imoro, the Public Relations Officer of the Union, said in a Channel One TV interview on Tuesday, December 23, that the arbitrary fare hikes are illegal and punishable under the law.
According to him, before transport fares will be adjusted either upward or downward, it passes through a clear and transparent process and communicated to the public officially to avoid confusion between trotro conductors popularly known as drivers’ mates and to also curb any abuse.
“Each time we adjust fares, either up or down, a formal communiqué is issued by the Ministry of Transport and disseminated through the media. Since the 15 per cent reduction, fares have remained unchanged,” he said.
He cautioned that any driver who independently increases fares is breaking the law and engaging in unfair conduct.
“If anybody on their own decides to raise the fare, they are violating the law. It is the duty of law enforcement to take action against such practices. As a Union, we do not support this behaviour; it amounts to cheating,” he stated.
Imoro admonished passengers to play an active role in enforcing compliance by not patronising those vehicles that charge beyond the approved rates.
He charged passengers to play an active role in enforcing compliance by refusing to patronise vehicles that charge beyond the approved rates.
“Passengers must resist paying more than the approved fare. If you refuse to board a vehicle charging beyond the regulated rate, operators will be compelled to comply with the law,” he added.
The warning comes amid mounting complaints from commuters across several urban centres, where drivers are accused of charging arbitrary fares, raising fresh concerns about monitoring, enforcement, and discipline within the public transport system.
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