A task force of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has arrested 27 commercial bus drivers and conductors at various locations across Accra over the past two days for charging unauthorised transport fares.
The arrests followed an enforcement operation aimed at curbing unapproved fare increases, particularly in the wake of recent transport disruptions that have sparked widespread complaints from commuters.
The operation covered major transport terminals and routes, including Pokuase, Odorkor, Ablekuma and Kingsway.
The National Guard Commander of the GPRTU, Drumond Ekow Gaisie, said 26 drivers and conductors were arrested on Wednesday morning and handed over to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.
He explained that two of the suspects were later discharged after their offences were deemed minor, while the remaining 21 are still in police custody.
Mr Gaisie noted that the arrests were carried out under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2180, which requires all professional drivers to belong to a recognised transport union.
He added that many of those arrested were “floating drivers” who do not belong to any recognised transport association and therefore operate outside established regulatory controls.
According to him, officers conducted spot checks by boarding commercial vehicles in plain clothes to verify compliance with approved fares, and immediately arrested drivers and conductors who insisted on charging illegal fares.
