GOV’T TO MEET TRANSPORT UNIONS OVER HIGH FARES AND MISSING BUSES
Minister says some drivers are creating fake shortages to charge more money.
The government will hold an emergency meeting with road transport unions to stop drivers from charging illegal high fares.
This comes after many commuters in Accra were left stranded this week. Officials say some drivers are hiding their vehicles to create a fake shortage of buses and taxis. Because passengers are desperate, these drivers then charge them more than the approved fare.
The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the move today. He called the action by some drivers “unlawful.”
“They are creating scarcity to drive up prices,” Kwakye Ofosu said. “It must be looked at.”
Last week, transport unions lowered fares by 15% because the price of fuel went down. But instead of charging the new lower fares, some drivers took their vehicles off the road.
Now, these drivers do not wait at the official lorry parks. They drive around the city, picking up stranded passengers who agree to pay the old, higher prices because there are no other options.
To help passengers right away, the Transport Ministry is bringing in more STC buses. They are also working quickly to repair Metro Mass Transit buses and put them on Accra roads.
But the main plan is to meet with the leaders of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other unions. The government will tell them to make their drivers follow the rules and charge the correct fares.
The Minister had a clear message for the drivers: “We urge the transport operators to adhere to the normal practice and avoid this behaviour which is needlessly creating difficulties for passengers.”
The meeting between the Transport Ministry and the unions is expected soon.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
