The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced plans to deploy a taskforce on the streets to monitor and sanction drivers engaging in unlawful practices amid complaints of vehicle shortages.
The move comes after Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, condemned deliberate attempts by some operators to create artificial scarcity of vehicles to overcharge passengers.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, January 14, Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, stressed that the union does not condone fare violations and will take action against erring members.
He revealed that the union plans to work closely with the Ghana Police Service and district assemblies to guarantee effective enforcement of regulations.
“We had a meeting today. We will be hitting the streets with our taskforce to ensure that if our vehicles are found engaging in such practices, we will cause their arrest and impose sanctions. We will be meeting the Transport Minister hopefully by Friday. We will be organising our union guards and request from the Minister to allow the police to come in. The MMDCEs will also come in. We will be standing at some vantage areas where we think most of these floating drivers park. It is there that we will find out those that are doing that. Those that are with the GPRTU, we will sanction them, those that are not, there are laws,” he said.
Amoah further urged commuters to use designated stations to pick up vehicles rather than boarding them from the roadside, noting that the union consistently encourages its members to operate from official stations where tolls are paid and compliance monitored.
