By Collins Sarkodieh 
Commuters traveling along the busy Kumasi to Offinso route faced serious drama on Wednesday morning after commercial drivers slapped an extra five cedis on transport fares. Passengers immediately flared up over the sudden jump, arguing that the increment came without any official backing from recognized transport unions.
Trotro drivers quickly defended their action by pointing fingers at punishing economic realities on the ground. They complained bitterly about soaring fuel prices, expensive spare parts, and the terrible nature of roads that destroy their vehicles daily.
Commuters trapped in the morning confusion refused to accept the excuses coming from the drivers. Frustrated passengers noted that adding five cedis arbitrarily places an unbearable weight on ordinary families already battling high living costs.
Heated exchanges filled the lorry station as tempers flared between angry travellers and stubborn drivers. Both sides stood their ground until tension reached boiling point before onlookers intervened to restore temporary calm.
Affected passengers are now calling on regulatory authorities to step in and streamline transport fares across the region. They also appealed to the government to roll out state buses to rescue daily commuters from arbitrary price adjustments.
Drivers maintain that running transport businesses without adjusting prices will force them out of work completely. Stakeholders must hold urgent meetings to find a lasting solution before public transport stations turn into permanent battlegrounds.
Also Read: Nationwide Transport Fare Hike: 20% Increase to Take Effect June 2