Six commercial drivers were arrested on Wednesday evening as the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, led a taskforce operation to clamp down on drivers charging unapproved transport fares across parts of the metropolis.
The operation, which commenced around 5:30 p.m., started from the COCOBOD stretch of Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Accra’s Central Business District and extended to the Farisco traffic light, an area noted for intense passenger activity during peak hours.
The exercise focused on busy routes to destinations including Kaneshie, Awoshie, Kasoa and Lapaz, where large numbers of commuters were boarding commercial vehicles.
During the operation, the Mayor and members of the taskforce moved through heavy traffic, stopping trotros and other commercial vehicles to question drivers on fares being charged.
The team also engaged passengers onboard to cross-check whether the amounts paid corresponded with approved transport fares.
According to the taskforce, the checks revealed mixed levels of compliance. While some drivers were found to be charging the approved fares, others demanded amounts higher than the stipulated rates, leading to the arrest of six drivers for charging unapproved fares.
The Mayor reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to protecting commuters from exploitation and warned that enforcement exercises would continue until full compliance is achieved.
