Residents of Nkorang, a farming Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of the Ashanti Region have clashed with commercial drivers over transport fare increment.
The drivers according to report has introduced a new transport fare after Transport Ministry and GPRTU directed transport unions to reduce number of passengers in their vehicle.
The move by the GPRTU and Transport Ministry is to ensure social distancing in commercial vehicles as well as private vehicles.
The aggrieved Nkorang residents in an interview with Pure FM’s Osei Kwadwo described the introduction of new transport fare by the drivers as illegal.
According to the residents “Before Covid-19 and GPRTU directive to drivers to reduce number of passengers in their vehicles, Foase to Nkorang was Ghc1.50 but now they are charging Ghc2 while from Nkorang to Abuakwa was Ghc2 but now the drivers are charging Ghc3”.
The residents revealed that the increment of transport fare by the drivers is affecting their day to day activities in the community.
“We have complained the issue to the assembly but nothing has been done about it. Sometimes we have to exchange blows with the drivers since our concerns have not been addressed by the authorities. The situation is so pathetic, because of 50 pesewas and 1 cedi, we have to walk from Nkorang to Foase and Abuakwa.
The drivers in an interview said deplorable road network in the community forced them to introduce new transport fare.
According to the drivers “deplorable road network is affecting our daily sales since we have to visit maintenance every 2 days to repair our vehicles”.
“After the announcement by GPRTU and Transport Ministry that we should reduce number of passengers in our vehicles to ensure social distancing, majority of us parked their vehicles since they can’t bare the situation. If we accept the old transport fare from the residents, our business will collapse because it will be difficult for us to by fuel and get our sales” the drivers said
The residents however appealing to government to fix deplorable roads from Nkorang to Foase and Abuakwa.
