The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) operations task force has arrested 17 commercial drivers in Amasaman for charging passengers fares not approved by the union.

The operation is part of a nationwide effort to crack down on drivers who flout official transport fares and exploit commuters.

Speaking to Adom News after the exercise, National Guard Commander of the GPRTU Taskforce, Dromond Ekow Gaizie, said officers were strategically deployed at Sapeiman and Medie to monitor activities and relay real-time information to the main team stationed in Amasaman.

“Most of the drivers were operating on what they call ‘short-short’ routes and charging illegal fares,” he noted. The arrested drivers were handed over to the Amasaman Police, while their vehicles were parked at the Amasaman School Park pending further action. Some of the suspects have already been processed for court.

Meanwhile, Onuado GPRTU Welfare Chairman at Amasaman, Eric Nii Ashirifi Ayee, urged drivers to operate within approved fare structures, emphasising that the union will collaborate closely with the taskforce to enforce discipline in the transport sector.

He called on drivers to cooperate with union officials and avoid practices that impose unnecessary financial burdens on passengers. Some of the arrested drivers also used the opportunity to advise colleagues to comply with official fares to avoid future sanctions.

The GPRTU confirmed that similar operations will continue across major transport corridors to protect commuters and restore confidence in public transport services.