A task force of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has arrested 27 commercial bus drivers and conductors at various locations across Accra over the past two days, Wednesday, for charging unauthorised transport fares.
The arrests were carried out during an enforcement exercise aimed at curbing unapproved fare charges, particularly in the wake of recent transport disruptions that have sparked widespread complaints from commuters.
The operation targeted major transport terminals and routes, including Pokuase, Odorkor, Ablekuma, and Kingsway.
Speaking to the media, the National Guard Commander of the GPRTU, Drumond Ekow Gaisie, said 26 drivers and conductors were arrested in the morning and subsequently handed over to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.
He explained that two of the drivers were later discharged after their offences were deemed “very lenient,” while 21 suspects remain in police custody.
Mr. Gaisie said the arrests were conducted under L.I. 2180, which requires every professional driver to belong to a recognised transport union. He noted that many of those arrested were “floating drivers” who were not affiliated with any recognised transport association and therefore operated outside regulatory oversight.
According to him, enforcement officers conducted undercover spot checks by boarding commercial vehicles in plain clothes to verify compliance with approved fares. Drivers and conductors who insisted on charging illegal fares were arrested immediately.
“The operation was necessary because some drivers had been charging passengers above approved fares after the recent transport disruptions,” he said.
Mr. Gaisie stated that the exercise had helped restore order and compel drivers to adhere to approved fare schedules. He added that he personally tested the situation by boarding a vehicle without wearing his uniform.
“I joined the vehicle myself while I was not in uniform, and I could see that the uniform presence is also scaring them back,” he said.
Describing fare overcharging as widespread, he noted that the operation had sent a strong signal to offending drivers.
“What happened this morning has shaken some areas.
I believe the drivers know what they are doing, and when they hear that we are working, they become cautious,” he added.
More operations planned
Mr. Gaisie said monitoring continued into the evening, with additional operations planned in the coming days to sustain compliance. He said enforcement teams would target different locations in the mornings and evenings.
“We are planning to hit another place in the morning, and in the evening, we will hit another area.
We do not want to disclose specific locations, but areas around Circle and Lapaz will be monitored,” he said.
He added that undercover operations would be intensified to ensure discipline even in the absence of uniformed officers, stressing that the GPRTU would continue to collaborate with the police to prosecute offenders and stabilise public transport operations across Accra.
Passenger concerns
Meanwhile, some commuters at various transport stations expressed concerns over long waiting times, overcrowding, and alleged fare exploitation.
Deshaun Nelson, who was waiting to board a vehicle to Oyibi, said he had spent over an hour in a queue without securing transport. Recalling past experiences aboard public buses popularly known as Aayalolo, he said overcrowding often created unsafe conditions.
“People collapsed due to suffocation, while others became nauseous and vomited because of poor ventilation and overcrowding,” he said.
Another passenger complained that while drivers charged approved fares when GPRTU officials were present at stations, they often increased fares mid-journey, leaving passengers with limited options.
