Kasoa Residents Cry Over High Transport Fares As Trotro Drivers Increase Prices Again Despite Fuel Price Drop

Kasoa Residents Cry Over High Transport Fares As Trotro Drivers Increase Prices Again Despite Fuel Price Drop

Commercial drivers and residents in Kasoa and its surrounding communities are once again at loggerheads following a new unauthorized increase in transport fares by some Trotro and taxi drivers, despite a recent reduction in fuel prices at the pumps.

Passengers traveling from Kasoa to Accra, Mallam, Kaneshie, Circle, and Kasoa to Winneba and Cape Coast have complained bitterly that drivers have increased fares by 20% to 30% without any approval from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) or the Ministry of Transport.

The situation has left many workers, traders, and students who commute daily from Kasoa – which is one of the fastest-growing and most densely populated communities in Ghana – stranded and financially stressed.

What Passengers Are Saying

Ama Mensah, a trader at Kasoa New Market who sells provisions and travels to Makola every morning, told http://KasoaNews.com:

“From Kasoa to Kaneshie was 12 cedis, now they are charging 15 cedis. From Kasoa to Mallam Atta was 8 cedis, now 10 cedis. They say fuel is expensive, but we heard fuel price has reduced. They are just cheating us. If you talk, the driver insults you.”

Kwesi Boateng, a student of Winneba University who boards at Kasoa, also lamented:

“I pay from Kasoa to Winneba Junction every week. Last two weeks it was 30 cedis, today the driver says 40 cedis. As a student, where do I get that money? GPRTU should come and enforce the real price list.”

Similar complaints have been heard on the Kasoa – Obom – Amasaman route, Kasoa – Tuba – Weija route, and the Kasoa – Buduburam – Winneba stretch, where passengers say drivers charge arbitrary fares especially during morning rush hours (5am-8am) and evening rush hours (5pm-9pm).

What Drivers Are Saying

However, some drivers who spoke to http://KasoaNews.com on condition of anonymity defended the increase, citing high cost of spare parts, high cost of engine oil, high DVLA charges, and bad roads within Kasoa.

One Trotro driver who plies the Kasoa to Old Barrier route said:

“My brother, don’t look at fuel only. A tyre that was 800 cedis last year is now 1,500 cedis. Engine oil is 450 cedis. We also pay daily sales to car owners. If we don’t increase fare, how do we survive? Government should also reduce spare parts prices, not just fuel.”

Another taxi driver at Kasoa Old Market junction said the bad nature of roads from Kasoa Iron City to Amanfrom and Kasoa Walantu to Opeikuma is destroying their cars, forcing them to visit mechanics almost every week.

GPRTU Reacts – No Approved Increase

In a quick response, a local GPRTU official at Kasoa Main Station told http://KasoaNews.com that there has been no official increase in transport fares approved by the national leadership.

According to him, the last official increase was approved several months ago, and any driver charging above that is doing so illegally.

“We have not increased fares. Any driver who has increased fares on his own is acting illegally. Passengers should report such drivers to our office at the station with the car number. We will sanction them,” he warned.

He also urged passengers to always ask for the approved GPRTU fare list which is supposed to be pasted at every station.

Impact On Kasoa Economy

Kasoa is a major commercial hub and a dormitory town for thousands of workers who work in Accra but cannot afford rent in Accra. Any increase in transport fare directly affects the cost of living in Kasoa.

Traders have already started increasing prices of goods in Kasoa New Market, Kasoa Old Market, and the Kasoa Tollbooth area, arguing that they spend more on transport to bring goods from Accra.

Food sellers, hairdressers, and other artisans are also feeling the pinch.

Economists say that if transport fares continue to rise without control, inflation in peri-urban areas like Kasoa, Ashaiman, and Amasaman will be higher than the national average, pushing more families into poverty.

What Government And Authorities Should Do

Residents are calling on the Kasoa Municipal Assembly, the Central East Police Command, and the Ministry of Transport to intervene and enforce approved fare lists at all stations.

They are also calling for:

1. Regular publication of approved fares on radio stations in Kasoa (like Pink FM, Obonu FM)

2. Police MTTD to arrest drivers who charge unapproved fares

3. Speedy completion of the Kasoa – Winneba road and inner Kasoa roads to reduce vehicle maintenance cost

4. Reduction in spare parts import duties to help drivers

Until such measures are taken, passengers say they will continue to suffer at the hands of some commercial drivers who take advantage of the high demand for transport in Kasoa.

Have you experienced fare increase in Kasoa? Send your video or voice note to http://KasoaNews.com WhatsApp 0243272564 and we will publish.

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