A shortage of commercial vehicles at the Lapaz-Tema Station left many commuters stranded on Thursday morning, forcing long queues as people struggled to get to work.
Speaking on JoyNews, commuters said the challenge has become a daily occurrence in recent times, particularly during morning rush hours.
A commuter heading to Kisseman described the situation as frustrating. “It’s always like this. Every time you come here, you have to wait for vehicles,” she said, calling for more cars to be deployed at the station.
Another commuter from Ablekuma explained that the journey has become exhausting. “Sometimes it takes two hours just to get here, then you wait another 30 minutes before finding a car. On some days, it takes three or four hours before you reach the workplace,” she said.
A pregnant woman travelling to Achimota also described the experience as stressful. “Not getting a car early has disturbed me so much. I risk getting to the hospital late and returning home late,” she said, appealing to authorities to intervene and ensure smoother operations.
Some commuters also raised concerns about alleged fare hikes during peak periods. “In the evening, the fare is supposed to be six cedis, but some drivers ask for ten. You have no choice because you want to get home,” one commuter said, urging transport unions to enforce fare regulations.
Responding to the complaints, the station master said the morning shortage is largely due to peak-hour pressure. “In the morning, everyone wants to get to work early,” he explained, noting that the situation improves in the afternoon but worsens again in the evening.
He dismissed claims of artificial shortages and fare manipulation. “We charge the normal fare. That doesn’t happen here,” he insisted. However, he acknowledged that frequent vehicle breakdowns have worsened the problem. “Many cars are in the workshop because spare parts are costly,” he said.
Commuters say the persistent shortage continues to disrupt daily routines and are calling on the government and transport unions to urgently address the situation and ensure fair fares, especially during peak hours.
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