Western Region GPRTU To Abandon Transport Terminals

Some officials of the Sekondi-Takoradi branch of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), have threatened to abandon the approved transport terminals to use unauthorised load points in the metropolis. This is due to the springing up of many illegal loading points in the metropolis which is affecting their business. The aggrieved GPRTU officials told Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday in Takoradi that several appeals to the authorities of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) dismantle the unauthorised load points has been unsuccessful. Mr John Arthur, Secretary of the Cape Coast branch of the GPRTU, explained that illegal transport operators park their vehicles along the shoulders of the road at vantage points in the city for passengers therefore people refuse to board vehicles at the approved stations. He mentioned some of the unapproved terminals as those at the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout, and All Needs Supermarket traffic light. Mr Francis Quaicoe, Secretary of the Takoradi-Kumasi main station GPRTU, said since the price increases in petroleum products in April, commercial drivers have not increased their fares, and this is affecting them. He therefore appealed to the STMA to expedite action on ejecting the illegal transport operators from the road side to bring sanity in the transport sector in the metropolis. Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Cromwell, Head of City Guard in the Metropolis, told the GNA that his outfit had informed the Ghana Police Service for assistance towards arresting illegal transport operators and asked the union officials to exercise restraint.