The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) task force has arrested 17 commercial drivers in Amasaman for charging passengers fares that were not approved by the union.
The exercise forms part of a nationwide operation to clamp down on drivers who flout official transport fares and exploit commuters.
According to the National Guard Commander of the GPRTU Taskforce, Dromond Ekow Gaizie, officers were deployed at Sapeiman and Medie to monitor drivers and relay real-time information to a main team stationed in Amasaman. He said most of the arrested drivers were operating so-called “short-short” routes and charging illegal fares.
The suspects were handed over to the Amasaman Police, while their vehicles were parked at the Amasaman School Park pending further action, with some already processed for court.
Meanwhile, the Onuado GPRTU Welfare Chairman at Amasaman, Eric Nii Ashirifi Ayee, urged drivers to comply with approved fare structures and cooperate with union officials to avoid sanctions. He added that the union will continue to work with the task force to enforce discipline in the transport sector.
The GPRTU said similar operations will be carried out along major transport corridors nationwide to protect commuters and restore confidence in public transport services.