The government has been urged to deregister and ban commercial drivers who refuse to comply with the 15 per cent reduction in transport fares directive.
This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS International, Accra, a leading public policy think tank and a consumer protection advocacy organisation, Mr Appiah Kusi Adomako and copied The Ghanaian Times.
Despite the announcement of a 15 per cent reduction in transport fares by various transport unions which took off on Saturday, some drivers decided to maintain the old fares with varying excuses resulting in the usual passenger-driver’s mate agitation on the buses.
To ensure compliance with the directive, CUTS International Accra has underscored the need for the government to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to deregister non-compliant drivers.
According to CUTS International Accra, there was a need to ensure that drivers who were compliant to the directive of the 15 per cent reduction in transport fares were provided with visible stickers to differentiate them from the non-complying drivers.
The provision of visible stickers for compliant drivers, the statement said, would enable the police to identify and penalise non-compliant drivers who exploited passengers.
“This leverages existing local government laws requiring MMDAs to register and permit commercial vehicles,” the statement sad.
Furthermore, CUTS International Accra recommended the authorisation of public universities to deploy their buses that were idle to operate on routes affected deregister drivers to serve as a short-term transport solution.
“This temporary measure will pressure non-compliant operators to adhere to the fare reduction to protect their revenue,” the statement said.
In addition, CUTS International Accra urged the government to invest in mass transit systems like Ayalolo and also construct dedicated bus lanes, as demonstrated in other countries across the world.
“A robust Ayalolo and Metro Mass Transit (MMT) system could exert competitive pressure on private operators, benefiting consumers,” the statement said.
BY TIMES REPORTER
