The Operations Taskforce of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has arrested 17 commercial drivers in Amasaman for charging unapproved transport fares.
The operation, which forms part of efforts to clamp down on arbitrary fare hikes, was carried out following coordinated surveillance by the taskforce. According to the National Guard Commander of the GPRTU Taskforce, Dromond Ekow Gaizie, officers were strategically deployed at Sapeiman and Medie to provide real-time intelligence to the main enforcement team stationed at Amasaman.
He explained that the majority of the arrested drivers were picking up passengers on what they described as “short short” routes and charging unauthorized fares. The drivers have since been handed over to the Amasaman Police, while their vehicles have been impounded and parked at the Amasaman School Park. Mr. Gaizie added that some of the cases have already been processed and are pending court action.
In a related development, the Onuado GPRTU Amasaman Welfare Chairman, Eric Nii Ashirifi Ayee, cautioned drivers against engaging in such practices. He stressed that the union would continue to work closely with the taskforce to ensure compliance with approved transport fares.
Meanwhile, some of the arrested drivers also appealed to their colleagues to desist from charging unapproved fares and to strictly adhere to the officially approved transport charges.
