GH¢1 Fare Increase: Santasi commercial drivers park vehicles over arrests

Commercial drivers operating on the Santasi-Tech and Santasi-Ejisu routes in Kumasi have suspended operations and parked their vehicles in protest against the arrest and prosecution of some of their colleagues over a GH¢1 increase in transport fares.

The drivers took the action after authorities reportedly arrested some drivers for charging passengers an additional GH¢1 on the existing fares.

According to the drivers, the fare increase is necessary to cushion them against rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of maintaining and operating their vehicles.

They said they would not return to work until authorities engage them in dialogue over the fare adjustment and address what they described as the repeated arrest and prosecution of drivers who charge the additional amount.

The protest left scores of passengers stranded at the Santasi station, disrupting transportation along the affected routes.

Some of the drivers argued that although the government had proposed a 30 percent increase in transport fares, the adjustment had yet to be implemented.

They therefore said they had resorted to adding GH¢1 to existing fares to cope with rising operational costs.
The drivers claimed that colleagues who charged the additional amount had been arrested, prosecuted and fined.

“Until the authorities meet us for a peaceful dialogue on the fare issue and stop arresting us and taking GH¢10,000 from us, we will not work,” one of the drivers said.

Another driver complained about the low income left after deducting fuel and other expenses, questioning how drivers and their conductors could survive on their daily earnings.

“Yesterday, my conductor and I made GH¢80 after taking out our sales and fuel expenses. How are we supposed to share that amount? What kind of cheating is this?” he asked.
The drivers maintained that the rising cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance had made it increasingly difficult for them to earn a decent income despite spending long hours on the road.

They acknowledged that authorities had the mandate to enforce transport regulations but insisted that arrests and fines alone would not resolve the fare dispute.

They are therefore demanding a peaceful engagement with the relevant authorities to reach an agreement on transport fares and find a lasting solution to the concerns affecting commercial drivers.