Trotro drivers on the Ablekuma–Pokuase route in Accra began a three-day demonstration on Tuesday, November 10, over increases in daily loading-point charges they say were imposed by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). Commuters along the corridor were left stranded.
The charges
The drivers say fees at several GPRTU-controlled loading points have risen from GH¢10 to GH¢15, while charges at other stops have gone from GH¢15 to GH¢20, adding pressure to their daily operations. That account was reported by 3News and by Adom News.
They want the daily charges reviewed immediately, and measures to stop what they describe as harassment and attacks at loading points.
Alleged attacks
According to the drivers, the demonstration also follows clashes at bus stops along the stretch, where they say land guards attacked colleagues who resisted being forced to load passengers at designated points. The drivers told Adom News that some colleagues suffered severe beatings, and that they called in the Ghana Police Service, who arrested a number of people alleged to be land guards.
Those claims come from the drivers. 3News reported that, at the time of publication, neither the GPRTU's national leadership nor the police had issued a public response to the alleged fee increases or the reported arrests.
Stranded commuters
Tuesday's protest left scores of morning commuters stranded along the Ablekuma–Pokuase stretch. Passengers who spoke to Adom News said the disruption affected their ability to commute, and appealed to the authorities, the GPRTU and other stakeholders to resolve the dispute and restore services.
3News noted that the dispute follows an 8 per cent transport fare increase in September, and that rows involving commercial drivers, assemblies and transport unions have flared repeatedly across Greater Accra in recent months.