Passengers in Kumasi, particularly those commuting on heavy-traffic-prone roads such as Tafo-Mamponteng, Suame-Markro, Kronum-Afrancho, Bantama-Asuofua and Atonsu-Kuntenase, have expressed frustration over what they describe as excessive transport fares being charged by commercial drivers.
According to the affected commuters, drivers are charging nearly three times the usual fare, with no official directive justifying the increment. Many have reported their grievances to the relevant authorities, demanding immediate intervention.
In response to these concerns, the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has directed the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a special task force to investigate and address the situation.
This directive follows a recent engagement with key staff of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and KMA, where critical issues affecting the city were discussed.
Silver Fm’s Akwadaa Nyame during a visit to areas such as Kronum, Suame, and Afrancho, engaged both passengers and drivers to gather their views on the Minister’s directive.
Some passengers revealed that the fare from Kronum to Kejetia, which typically costs GHC 4, has skyrocketed to over GHC 15. They attributed this to drivers deliberately adopting a “short-short” loading system, which forces passengers to pay multiple fares for a single journey.
“It’s a deliberate move by the drivers to exploit us. We don’t understand why a fare that used to be GHC 4 should now be GHC 15. The authorities must act,” one passenger lamented.
However, some drivers justified the fare increments, citing the heavy traffic congestion in Kumasi. They argued that spending hours in traffic for a journey that should take 30 minutes affects their daily earnings, making it necessary to increase fares.
Others attributed the hikes to the rising cost of fuel and general economic hardships. “Fuel prices keep increasing, and the cost of vehicle maintenance is also high. If we don’t adjust fares, we won’t be able to meet our daily sales,” a driver explained.
As the issue persists, passengers are calling on the authorities to take urgent action to regulate transport fares and ensure fair pricing. Many hope that the Minister’s intervention will bring relief to commuters who already struggle with the high cost of living in Kumasi.
Isaac Asiedu
