Regional News of Thursday, 10 March 2005

Source: GNA

Wenchi drivers charge above approved fares

Wenchi (B/A), Mar. 10, (Credit Poku-Kasampe) GNA - Some recalcitrant drivers in Wenchi District in Brong Ahafo have refused to charge the approved transport fares, following the recent hike in the price of petrol by the government.

The drivers have continued to charge arbitrary fares to the disadvantage of workers and the people.

Nana Poku-Kasampe, Senior Administrative Officer of the Ghana Education Service at Wenchi complained to newsmen that drivers charge 20,000 cedis instead of 18,500 cedis from Wenchi to Kumasi approved by the government.

They charge 13,000 instead of 12,000 cedis from Wenchi to Sunyani, while those from Wenchi to Techiman charge 7,000 cedis instead of the 6,500 cedis and 8,000 cedis instead of 7,000 cedis from Wenchi to Badu. Nana Poku-Kasampe said taxi drivers plying Wenchi town charge 5,000 cedis instead of 4,000 cedis.

He blamed the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the law enforcing agencies in the district for their inability to enforce the Government's directives of 30 per cent transport fare increase.

Nana Poku-Kasampe asked the law enforcing agencies to take drastic actions against the recalcitrant drivers in the Wenchi District.