Kofi Ahovi

  Six commercial drivers were arrested on Wednesday evening when the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, led a taskforce operation to check drivers charging unapproved transport fares and enforce compliance with approved rates across parts of the metropolis. The operation, which began around 5:30 p.m., moved from the COCOBOD section of the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Accra’s Central Business District through to the Farisco traffic light, where passenger activity was intense due to peak-hour traffic and the high volume of commuters boarding vehicles to destinations including Kaneshie, Awoshie, Kasoa and Lapaz. During the exercise, the Mayor and the team walked through heavy traffic, stopping trotros and other commercial vehicles to enquire from drivers how much they were charging and cross-checking the figures with passengers onboard to confirm whether the fares matched the approved rates. The checks, according to the taskforce, revealed mixed compliance, with some drivers char...

  The government is set to engage in high-level discussions with transport unions today, February 11, regarding their plans to increase transport fares in response to the persistent rise in fuel prices. This engagement comes in the wake of growing concerns among commuters and transport operators about the economic burden of fluctuating fuel costs and its impact on transportation services across the country. This latest development follows a statement issued by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), one of the largest transport unions in the country, indicating that the threshold for fare adjustments has been met due to consecutive fuel price hikes recorded throughout January. According to the GPRTU, the continual increase in fuel costs, combined with other operational expenses, has made it financially unviable for commercial drivers to maintain the current fare structure without adjustments. Speaking to journalists on Monday, February 10, the Minister for Transport, Joseph...

  Commercial drivers have begun charging new fares following an agreement that transport fares should be adjusted. However, while members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) are charging the 19 per cent increment as announced, the Concerned Drivers Association members have pegged their increment at 30 per cent. This situation has triggered agitation between drivers and their mates on one hand and passengers on the other hand as the latter insist on charging the fares as approved by their unions and the former try to protest. Situation This has resulted in arguments, insults and name-calling with almost every moving “trotro.” The Daily Graphic visited some transport terminals and also commuted on some trotros to observe how displeased passengers challenged the fares and sometimes refused to pay the new fares, which led to hot exchanges. On one of the buses from Ridge Roundabout to Adentan Barrier, a hot exchange ensued as the passenger, obviously unaware that fares had...