CAPE COAST — Passengers travelling between Cape Coast, Jukwa and Twifo Praso have reportedly been stranded at various lorry stations since Wednesday morning following a disagreement between transport operators and authorities over an increase in transport fares.
The affected areas include Pedu Junction, Jukwa and the Twifo Praso lorry station, where several passengers have been left waiting for vehicles to resume operations.
Speaking to The Central Watch, some drivers explained that about two weeks ago, they increased the transport fare on the Cape Coast–Twifo Praso route by GH¢5, from GH¢33 to GH¢38.
According to the drivers, passengers had accepted the new fare, and there had been no major disagreement over the adjustment until Wednesday.
The drivers said the situation changed after one of their colleagues loaded passengers from Cape Coast to Twifo Praso. Upon arriving at Twifo Praso, the District Chief Executive (DCE) was allegedly accompanied by a police team to the lorry station to collect the additional GH¢5 from the passengers and refund the money to them.
The drivers expressed concern over what they described as a humiliating approach, insisting that they would not continue operating under what they consider to be a disgraceful situation.
“We have been charging GH¢38 for about two weeks now, and the passengers have accepted it. But today, when one of our colleagues arrived at Praso, the DCE came with police officers to collect the GH¢5 from the passengers and refund it. We cannot continue with this kind of treatment,” one of the drivers told The Central Watch.
The development has reportedly resulted in a halt in transport services, leaving passengers stranded at the affected stations.
Passengers have appealed to the relevant authorities, transport unions and other stakeholders to intervene urgently to resolve the dispute and allow them to continue their journeys.
The Central Watch is monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
