Accra: GNA-Some residents in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital have called on the government to procure more buses for the public inter-city transit system, nationwide. That, according to them, would greatly help tackle the misunderstanding that erupted between passengers and drivers whenever there was a reduction in transport fares.
According to Ghana News Agency, the residents made the call in the wake of the reduction of transport fares, as announced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). The largest transport union in the country announced the 15 percent decrease effective May 24, 2025. However, commercial drivers, especially cabbies in the municipality had since refused to comply, charging the old fares pegged between GHC4.50 and GHC5.50 depending on the distance.
Reacting to that in an interview with the GNA in Sunyani, the residents said the inter-city transport system ought to be extended to all the regional capitals and some major towns. 'I think it's time the government procured public transit in our towns and cities', Stephen Addai, a teacher stated. Another resident, Mad Agnes Kusi, a student, said introducing the public inter-city transport transit system remained the best for the nation now.
Meanwhile, some of the taxi drivers described the reduction of fuel as insignificant, insisting that the old fares were enough for passengers to pay. 'When the price of petrol increased three consecutive times, we did not increase, they did not increase the fares and so we can't also decrease it now', Mr Kofi Emmanuel, a taxi driver who used the Sunyani-Abesim stretch stated. Another cabbie, Mr Francis Kusi, said: 'the reduction in the fares favours the commercial drivers who have travelled long distances so we have agreed that we will maintain the old fares'.
The situation is not different as some Pragyia riders (tricycle) in the Municipality also charged the old fares of GHC3.50. In an interview with the GNA, the riders said though the price of fuel had reduced marginally at the various pumps, the cost of spare parts remained highly stable. Mr Fuseini Yakubu, a rider at the Sunyani Area who used the Sunyani Area Two-Penkwasi stretch, said until the cost of spare parts was reduced, there was no way they were going to reduce the fares. Mr Kwaku Tawiah, another rider popularly known as 'Ranking' who used the Fiapre-Odomase stretch also called on President John Dramani Mahama to expedite action and regularize their operations as he promised in the Election 2024 campaign.
