Drivers plying the Kasoa-Nima and Kasoa- Newtown routes at the Kasoa main station in the Central region have increased their transportation fare by over 30 per cent despite an expected general increment of 15 per cent announced by the government.
Disgruntled passengers going to Accra, Newtown or Kasoa have, since Tuesday, July 7, 2020, been paying GH?7 as against a previous fare of GH?5.30; while passengers from Kasoa to Circle, who initially paid GH?4.50, were now made to pay GH?6.
The situation has resulted in banter between passengers and drivers who ensured that fares were taken from passengers before their vehicles took off.
Some passengers have argued that the increment was illegal since the announcement of an increment was expected to take effect on Saturday, July 11, 2020.
Others were of the view that the increment was a deliberate attempt by the drivers to recoup “losses” incurred since the reduction of passengers in vehicles due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A “bookman” at the station who spoke on anonymity to DAILY GUIDE said the decision to maintain the current exorbitant fare was due to the lack of clear official communication from the branch executives of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) on how much fares to charge passengers since the prices of fuel had shot up by 30 per cent.
“Initial increment was 30 per cent. And now there is confusion. Some are saying we should charge 15 per cent, while others are saying 30 per cent, so we do not know what to take,” he said.
When DAILY GUIDE contacted the branch office of the GPRTU at the station at about 8.30 am, the office was yet to be opened.
It also remained unclear how many terminals at the station had increased their cost of fares by 30 per cent.
By Issah Mohammed