Editorial: Commercial Drivers Charging Unapproved Fares; KMA Has Shown The Way

A special security task force of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has arrested 30 commercial drivers at Santasi for allegedly charging passengers unapproved fares at night. The drivers were reportedly demanding GH¢10 for short trips that officially cost GH¢3, particularly from Santasi to Ahenema Kokobeng. The leader of the taskforce, Sergeant Sampson Dadzie, said the move was part of efforts to curb illegal fare hikes, describing the act as unfair and detrimental to national development. The arrested drivers are to be processed for court.

The taskforce, comprising police, military and assembly officers has vowed to sustain the operation to protect commuters from exploitation.Some passengers have praised the taskforce for the intervention.

In an era where every cedi counts, the growing trend of commercial drivers exploiting passengers by charging unapproved fares is nothing short of economic extortion. The recent arrest of 30 drivers by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) special task force for overcharging commuters at night is not only commendable but long overdue. It reflects a decisive step toward restoring fairness, discipline and accountability in the country’s public transport system.

According to the report, the arrested drivers were demanding as much as GH¢10 for short trips that officially cost GH¢3, a blatant act of greed that preys on the vulnerability of ordinary citizens trying to get home after a long day. The KMA’s operation has exposed a disturbing reality; that some drivers, emboldened by limited enforcement and fewer transport options at night, take advantage of passengers for personal gain.

Sergeant Sampson Dadzie, who led the task force, aptly described this behavior as unfair and illegal. Indeed, it is both. Transport fares in Ghana are regulated by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and approved by the Ministry of Transport. Any increment must be officially announced. When drivers arbitrarily increase fares, they are not just breaking the law, they are exploiting the poor and undermining public confidence in a vital service sector.

This commendable action by the KMA must not stop at Kumasi. The situation in Accra is equally alarming, if not worse. Trotro drivers in the capital have mastered the art of extortion during peak hours and at night. Commuters are often charged double the normal fare under the pretext of “no cars” or “heavy traffic.” A route that costs GH¢5 in the morning suddenly costs GH¢10 after 7 p.m., leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.

It is time authorities in Accra, especially the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), the police and city assemblies took a cue from Kumasi and launched a similar operation. Overcharging should not be treated as a minor offense, it is economic injustice that deserves the full weight of the law. Drivers who exploit passengers must be arrested, prosecuted and fined to serve as a deterrent.

But enforcement alone is not enough. Transport unions such as the GPRTU and PROTOA must discipline their members and stop pretending not to notice the rot within their ranks. When drivers arbitrarily charge new fares, they tarnish the reputation of the entire public transport system. Passengers, too, must be empowered to report such offenses. Displaying approved fare lists prominently at lorry stations will help passengers know their rights and make informed decisions.

The KMA’s operation has shown that regulation works when enforced. Now, other metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies must follow suit. Fare exploitation thrives when oversight is weak. If sustained, these actions can help restore sanity to the sector and protect the interests of commuters who already battle economic hardships daily.

Ghana cannot continue to allow commercial drivers to operate with impunity. A nation that seeks development must uphold fairness and accountability at every level. Overcharging passengers is theft in another form and it must be treated as such.

 

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