Transport Ministry directs police to arrest drivers charging unapproved fares

The Ministry of Transport has charged the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to arrest any commercial driver charging unapproved transport fares.

This was made known in a statement dated April 14, 2024, after some commercial drivers began charging new fares despite a joint statement from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) urged passengers to wait for official announcement.

The ministry’s statement disclosed that, “The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that negotiations are still ongoing with the transport operators.

Therefore, the Ministry is by this statement urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC”.

The call by drivers to increase transport fares began On Monday, April 8, 2024, when two transport operating groups, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana, jointly announced a 15% increase in transport fares effective Saturday, April 13, 2024 due to adjustment in fuel prices.

GPRTU and the GRTCC in acknowledging the concerns by the drivers subsequently began engaging the Ministry of Transport to reach a consensus.

“As leadership, we have followed with keen interest, the recent adjustment in the fuel prices and other related operational costs. We are currently engaging stakeholders to give consideration to the various cost components to agree on the way forward”.

Meanwhile, they have advised drivers not to implement any new fares, as the leadership negotiates for the right increment.

See statement below