The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has cautioned commercial drivers to desist from charging unapproved fares and to adopt fair cost margins that ease the financial burden on commuters, warning that offenders would face prosecution.
He described arbitrary transport fare increases as unfair, exploitative, and in violation of the Operation of Commercial Vehicles By-laws, 2017 of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) which states that “commercial drivers must convey passengers to their destination stations without alighting and re-boarding them to charge additional fares, and prohibits drivers from charging more than the Assembly-approved rates agreed upon with transport unions.”
The Mayor issued the warning when the Accra Metropolitan Security Council (METSEC) met with transport operators on Friday to address concerns on transport fares, road safety, free vehicular movement, sanitation, and security ahead of the festive period.
He announced that, beginning today, the AMA, in collaboration with the Police, would roll out a special operation to clamp down on drivers who operate outside recognised unions or associations, popularly known as floating drivers, stressing that their activities were among the major causes of fare distortions and disorder on the roads.
He emphasised that this year’s Christmas must be peaceful, accident-free, crime-free, and free from the usual transport-related challenges that inconvenience the public.
He said the Assembly would no longer tolerate drivers who inflate fares without approval, adding that the AMA Sanitation and Motor Court would be on standby throughout the festive period to prosecute offenders.
”We have one Ghana and one Accra. If we don’t fix our problems, no one will fix them for us,” he said, urging transport operators to cooperate with the city authorities and security agencies to ensure a smooth holiday season.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
