The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has dismissed claims that its members are deliberately overcharging passengers amid reported public transport shortages.

The statement follows criticism from the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who accused some transport operators of creating artificial vehicle scarcity to hike fares.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, GPRTU Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said the union does not condone such conduct and would never direct members to flout fare regulations or operate outside official stations.

“These problems happening at the roadside, where passengers are stranded and drivers take advantage to charge unapproved fares, involve vehicles that do not belong to the union. Most of these are floating vehicles,” he explained.

Mr. Amoah revealed that the union has already held internal meetings and is taking steps to strengthen enforcement among members. A taskforce will be deployed to ensure compliance on the roads.

“We will be hitting the streets with our taskforce to ensure that if our vehicles are found engaging in such practices, we will cause their arrest and impose sanctions,” he said.

He also urged commuters to board vehicles only from designated GPRTU stations rather than picking them up along the roadside, noting that unionised drivers operate within approved routes, pay required fees, and are subject to monitoring.

“We encourage passengers to use these stations rather than catching vehicles from the roadside,” Mr. Amoah said.

He emphasised that the alleged fare abuses are largely linked to unaffiliated drivers operating outside established transport terminals, stressing that the union remains committed to upholding approved fares and protecting commuters.