The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has assigned additional task force personnel to the Central Business District to address commercial drivers imposing unapproved transport fares, especially during peak hours.
The Assembly asserts that the practice of arbitrarily raising fares contributes to the increasing costs of food and other essential services.
In a statement to journalists, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, warned trotro, taxi, and ride-hailing drivers against charging fares that exceed the approved rates.
He indicated that the AMA will enhance monitoring efforts and penalise drivers who are found to be charging excessive fares.
“We are pleading with them that they should charge the fees that, by the bylaw, they are supposed to charge. If it is 10 cedis, they should not take 20 cedis just because it is around 4:00 a.m. or during rush hours,” he said.
The Mayor cautioned that drivers who violate the approved fare structure will face strict legal consequences.
“We are putting a lot of men out there who are going to check, and if you are caught, we will make sure the law deals with you,” he added.
The AMA states that this initiative is designed to safeguard commuters from arbitrary fare hikes and to ensure adherence to approved transport fares throughout the metropolis.
