The Times says drivers plying the Agona Swedru-Apam route on Wednesday, withdrew their services in protest against the new lorry fares fixed by the Ghana Road Transport Co- ordinating Council (GRTCC).

They blocked the road at Gomoa Obuasi, leaving many passengers stranded.

Speaking to the press at Apam, Mr Nicholas Atta-Boison, a station master said that the 15 per cent increase in fares as against 64.3 per cent increment in the price of petrol, had made the running of commercial transport services unprofitable.

He cited a minibus, carrying 12 passengers from Apam to Swedru at the new fare of 2,200 cedis making 25,400 cedis and stated that out of the amount, a driver would buy two gallons of petrol for 21,000 cedis pay 2,000 cedis as a booking fee and 800 ceids as park toll, leaving only 1,600 cedis as his sales.

He therefore appealed to the GRTCC to consider reviewing the new fares.