By Frank Kwame Abbor
Sokode, Sept. 11, GNA – Mr Mac-Billions Bansah Dickson, Assembly Member for the Sokode-Gbogame Electoral Area, has cautioned commercial drivers plying the Sokode-Ho route against charging passengers fares above the approved rate.
He said the caution followed a joint statement issued by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) on September 8, 2026, indicating that no decision had been taken to increase public transport fares.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on September 9, Mr Bansah said the existing approved fares therefore remained in force, and drivers and transport operators were expected to maintain them until further notice.
He said it was unacceptable for some drivers on the Sokode-Ho route to reportedly charge GH¢8 instead of the approved GH¢6 fare, particularly when the Ministry of Transport had not authorised any increase.
Mr Bansah called on drivers engaging in the practice to desist immediately, saying the additional GH¢2 charged per passenger could become a significant financial burden when accumulated over several passengers and trips each day.
He said ongoing discussions between the Government and transport operators, including issues surrounding fuel interventions, should not be interpreted by individual drivers as authorisation to impose new fares.
The Assembly Member said the official statement from the transport unions indicated that further engagements were ongoing and that no fare adjustment had yet been approved.
He appealed to passengers to insist on paying the approved GH¢6 fare for the Sokode-Ho journey and report persistent cases of alleged overcharging to the appropriate transport authorities.
Mr Bansah acknowledged the contribution of commercial drivers to the movement of people within the Municipality but urged them to respect the agreed process and await an official announcement from the competent authorities before adjusting fares.
He said unauthorised fare increases could impose unnecessary hardship on commuters who were already facing economic pressures.
He therefore urged all drivers operating on the Sokode-Ho stretch to maintain the approved GH¢6 fare until an officially sanctioned review was announced.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Audrey Dekalu