'Crack down on exploitative drivers' – Civil society group urges government

The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO), a civil society organisation, has called on the government to clamp down on commercial drivers who exploit commuters.

The organisation said passengers had endured more than two years of hardship due to what it described as unfair practices by some transport operators, despite recent reductions in fuel prices and the cost of some goods and services.

In a statement issued in Accra yesterday and cited by The Ghanaian Times, UFO accused some drivers of failing to adjust fares in line with falling fuel prices while continuing practices that placed an additional burden on commuters.

It described the situation as unacceptable and urged immediate action to end what it termed the exploitation of passengers.

The organisation said some trotro drivers had adopted the practice of loading only short distances during morning rush hours, leaving many passengers stranded and causing workers, traders and schoolchildren to arrive late at their destinations.

It also raised concerns about alleged fare increases during evening hours, noting that some drivers charged above approved rates and compelled commuters to pay more to get home.

According to UFO, the situation had led to congestion at transport terminals and heightened tensions between passengers, drivers and their assistants, sometimes resulting in confrontations.