A consumer rights group, CUTS International, is calling on the government to take strong action against commercial drivers who are refusing to implement the recently announced 15% reduction in transport fares.
Despite the new fares taking effect on Saturday, May 24, many drivers are still charging passengers the old rates, citing other expenses.
According to Appiah Kusi Adomako, West Africa Director of CUTS International, this practice is unfair to passengers who are already struggling with the high cost of living.
“It is only fair that passengers benefit from the fuel price drop,” he said.
CUTS International is urging the government to empower local assemblies to revoke the licenses of drivers who fail to comply with the new fare rules.
The group also proposes issuing stickers to compliant drivers, enabling police to easily identify and penalize those who don’t.
In addition, CUTS suggests that buses from public universities, such as the University of Ghana and KNUST, could be used temporarily on busy routes to alleviate passenger woes.
Mr. Adomako also emphasized the need for the government to invest in public transport, citing examples of cities like London, New York, and Seoul, which have robust public transport systems due to government support.
“We need transport reforms that put the needs of passengers first,” Mr. Adomako stressed. “The time to act is now.” CUTS believes that the government has a role to play in ensuring fair prices, just like the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) regulates fuel prices, even in a free-market economy.