Driver Returns Passengers To Circle Station for Refusing To Pay Old Fare: “Ɛyɛ Zu, Ɛyɛ Cry”
- Transport fares were expected to go down by 15% from Saturday, May 24, after the government and transport operators negotiated
- However, some drivers are hesitant to comply with the directive, leaving passengers stranded or arguing in commercial vehicles
- A young lady shared how her driver reacted when the passengers insisted on paying the newly reduced fare
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) directed its members to reduce transport fares by 15% from Saturday, May 24, 2025.
However, some of the trotro drivers defied the order and insisted on charging the old fare even though fuel prices have gone down and the cedi is rising against the dollar.
Source: UGC
In a video on X, a young lady recounted her experience where a driver brought them back to their station because the passengers insisted on paying the new and reduced fare.
“I’m at Circle right now. The car was loaded and came back to the station because we refused to pay the actual amount he asked us to pay. The government said a 15% reduction, but he says he will not take 15% of the money. We were on our way, but he brought us back to the station where we should get down.”
Source: Getty Images
Scenes behind the lady showed that some passengers were confronting the driver for bringing them back and failing to comply with the directive on transport fare reduction.
GPRTU calls for police enforcement on new fares
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has stressed the need for law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the 15% fare reduction.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abbas Ibrahim Moro, stated that drivers would face sanctions.
He, however, commended stations that have implemented strict measures aimed at ensuring drivers adhere to the new fare reduction.
Watch the video below:
Ghanaians divided over transport fare reduction
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the video shared by @eddie_wrt on X. Read them below:
@fawogyimiiko_ said:
“That’s good from the driver, if the driver can’t buy anything at a reduced price, then there is no way he can reduce his own. Make everyone get the excess profit.”
@NiQk699 wrote:
“This is going to keep happening if you focus on one aspect of the economy…..You have reduced fuel prices, and so what?? What about everything else??”
@Kofi_Gyekye1 said:
“Girl Wei paaa kctc wo car eer the video dey vex me pass.”
@Dawson_Blaud wrote:
“The driver is probably going through a lot 😪, why return to the station after wasting fuel? Oh.”
@6youalone said:
“This driver just wasted his fuel...it’s on him.”
@qwekhu_foreigna wrote:
“We Ghanaians, ankasa, we are our own problem...These tell us some Ghanaian are so selfish, even though that's human nature, but ours is too much, or must I say greed is eating us up? What made you increase the lorry fare is now a low cost, yet you want to take the same amount? Greed. SMH.”
@Onas_foods said:
“Sunday de3 it will be cool because they will be attending church and perhaps they wouldn’t want to waste time or argue, but Monday!!!. Hm, it's gonna be messy in the troskys 😅. Please wipe your camera lenses, and stay alert @gnfsofficial @ambulance_ghana @NRSAGhana @GhPoliceService.”
@attrakta wrote:
“If all these drivers and traders don't reduce their things now...The hardship go remain or better still, the dollar go rise!”
How does the reduction is transport fares affect the economy in Ghana?
Reduced transport fares in Ghana can have many positive ripple effects on the economy, affecting it at both macroeconomic and personal levels. Here are often the ways it affects the economy:
1. More money in your pocket
Cheaper transport fares mean that commuters (especially low- and middle-income workers) spend less on travelling to and from work each day. They therefore have more disposable income available to spend on other goods and services, which could help stimulate demand in other industries.
2. Reduces the Cost of Doing Business
For businesses that rely on transportation, such as delivery services, traders, and agricultural producers, reduced fares lower operational costs. This can lead to lower prices for goods and services, increased profit margins and greater competitiveness, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
3. Helps Control Inflation
Transport costs are a key factor in the pricing of goods, especially food and other essentials. A reduction in fares can lower the cost of goods and services, slow down the rate of inflation, particularly in urban areas and relieve pressure on the Bank of Ghana to raise interest rates.
4. Affects Government Revenue (indirectly)
Lower fares, often impacted by declining fuel prices, may generate less tax revenue from petroleum products if the price reductions are due to tax waivers. However, increased consumer spending in other areas may offset this through VAT and other taxes.
GPRTU to sanction drivers
YEN.com.gh reported that the GPRTU threatened to punish drivers who fail to charge the reduced transport fares.
General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, said drivers hate it when they are asked not to load, and so they will use that as a main punishment to get them to obey the directive.
Source: YEN.com.gh
