Illegal increase in transport fares in Accra

Commuters could breathe a sigh of relief if the directive of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), urging the public to report any driver/conductor (mate) charging unapproved fares to the police could work effectively.

Illegal transport fare increment has become a major problem for commuters especially in Accra because of “Shadow Boys” also known as “Loading Boys”.

These “Loading Boys” determine how much is charged as lorry fares per a trip once the driver pulls over at the bus stops. The higher the increase in fares, the higher their (Shadow Boys) commission.

They usually cash in during rush hours - early morning (to work) or late afternoon (from work). The more crowded passengers are at a bus stop, the higher the increment.

E.g. It costs Ghc6.00 / Ghc6.50p from Achimota to Pokuase and Amasaman respectively as regular fares, but will cost you Ghc8.00 or Ghc10.00 depending on the population at the bus stop.

And oh, it’s a flat rate irrespective of where one alights.

For a Taxi, it will cost you at least Ghc15.00 to same locations regardless who alights first in the cause of the journey.

The commuters who are committed to arriving at their various destinations on time to avoid lateness, are left with no other options but to succumb to the selfish desires of these “Shadow Boys”.

For workers in the corporate sector, keeping a good track record of consistent punctuality is one of their hallmarks as employees. For this reason, they are often willing to pay for a Taxi as they cannot afford to waste much time at the bus stops.

But what are the economic implications of this situation? One obvious adverse effect is ‘exceeding one’s budget’ for the day. One is expected to spend more than whatever amount he/she sets aside for the day’s expenses.

Achimota-Pokuase commuters as a case study:

On any regular day, an amount of Ghc12.00 suffices the cost of an employee’s movement to and from work - Ghc6.00 for each movement. On the contrary, he/she will need a minimum of Ghc20.00 in the case of “Shadow Boys” to complete his/her movements for the day which will take a toll on his/her income at the end of the month.

The fear is that, the next nationwide fare increment may see this illegal rate of Ghc10.00 normalised even if it’s exorbitant because that’s what they have been charging illegally all along. So, to them, it’s ‘normal’.

The new Transport Minister, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe and the Ministry of Transport must stop this extortion as it exacerbates the economic challenges of the ordinary Ghanaians.

By: Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe