KMA cracks down on stubborn drivers over transport reduction

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) together with the Ashanti Regional Police has begun a strict enforcement exercise to crack down on stubborn commercial drivers in the Metropolitan who have refused to abide by the reduction of their fares by the agreed 15 percent, the Head of the Transport Department at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Randy Wilson, has said.

“The police will be out starting today to ensure that every driver is able to reduce the fare that they charge now by the agreed 15% with the ministry of transport and that is the crust of the exercise, that is expected to start today and it’s not going to be a one day wonder, but it’s something that is going to go through so as to ensure that those arbitrary charges of lorry fares that once a while, somewhere along the line, drivers just decide to increase fares wouldn’t be occurring again,” he said.

Randy Wilson observed that complaints are already coming in from commuters who claim they are being overcharged despite the new directive.

“There’s a phone number that we give out and there are lots of people that are calling to complain about being charged beyond what has been agreed and we are compiling all this and making it available to the police and MTTD. We are hoping that within 2-3 days, all these drivers will be fished out and the appropriate punishment will be meted out to them,” he added.

He also stated that additional penalties will be enforced as part of KMA’s broader transport reforms.

“The KMA as part of the transport re-organization process came up with certain fees that are supposed to be charged to people who flout these rules, that will also be applied,” he stated.

The public has been urged to report defaulting drivers directly to the KMA.

“If anyone is charged beyond the 15% reduction, just take your phone, take the vehicle number, give us the route they’re working on and then the fare you were charged and send it to the number 0244540238 and appropriate actions will be taken against these recalcitrant drivers.”

The KMA says it remains committed to ensuring passengers are not short-changed and drivers are held accountable.

In a separate statement, KMA expressed concern over the failure of some commercial transport operators to comply with the fare reduction.

The Assembly cautioned drivers that failure to implement the approved reduction constitutes a criminal offence punishable by law.

“We kindly request the public’s cooperation in this endeavour as we strive to restore order and sanity on our roads,” the statement added.

The Assembly has therefore urged full compliance to ensure smooth implementation of the directive and to help restore fairness and discipline in the transport sector.