Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has intensified efforts to address the persistent transport challenges by deploying task force teams to stop drivers from charging commuters unapproved fares.
Commuters in Accra have for some time now continued to struggle to work, school among others, despite promises made by government to address the situation immediately after the Christmas and New Year break.
Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro, told the DAILY GUIDE in an interview that the worsening traffic situation as well as the illegal increase in transport fares, particularly after the Christmas period, is not unusual but has lasted longer this year due to congestion and population pressure in the capital.
“What we have observed over the years is that during the Christmas and early January period, traffic becomes very serious, normally, after two or three weeks, things normalise, but this year the situation has prolonged,” he explained.
He said the Union has held a meeting with the Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and the Minister for Transport, as part of efforts to address the problem.
“We agreed that our task force should go round because some drivers are overcharging and others are abusing the system. Since our task force started last week, we are seeing gradual changes and some level of success,” he said.
Alhaji Abbas also stated that although the task force has not yet covered every area, plans are underway to increase the operations of the task force to routes such as Circle, Lapaz and Madina.
The GPRTU spokesperson dismissed claims that the transport crisis is due to shortage of vehicles, explaining that heavy traffic delay among other factors has reduced the number of available cars during peak hours.
“We have vehicles in the system, but the traffic situation has made it difficult. Where a vehicle is supposed to return in 40 minutes, it now takes much longer, and that contributes to the problem,” he stated.
Alhaji Moro further warned that drivers operating outside recognised transport unions and charging unapproved fares are being arrested and handed over to the police in line with Regulation 121 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.
He further appealed to commuters to report offenders and cooperate with authorities, stressing that while the Union is doing its best, restoring normalcy will require collective efforts.
“We are doing what we can to salvage the situation. Gradually, we will get out of it, but passengers must also report wrongdoing, so we can act swiftly,” he added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah