Four Drivers Arrested for Setting Fire in Protest of Fares

Cape Coast Police on Wednesday, arrested four taxi drivers for allegedly setting fire to lorry tyres in the middle of the road between Kotokoraba and Abura in the municipality in protest against the 15 percent increase in lorry fares.

The four, whose names were not disclosed, were also said to have prevented some of their colleagues from operating because the increase is "too low".

The police said investigations have shown that some commercial drivers are demanding 30 percent increase in fares to enable them meet their running costs.

Mr. Reuben Yalley, vice-chairman of the Kotokoraba local branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) when contacted, agreed with some of the drivers demanding for review of the lorry fares.

According to him, the drivers have complained that they were unable to make their daily sales from the current fares.

He however, appealed to commercial drivers in the municipality to exercise restraint while the national executive of the union took up the matter.