A dramatic scene unfolded at the UPSA junction taxi rank when a taxi driver reportedly drove a passenger back to where he picked her up — all because of a disagreement over the new transport fare.
The dispute erupted after the passenger refused to pay the old fare, insisting on the newly reduced rate following the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) recent 15% fare reduction directive.
Instead of negotiating, the driver took a bold step: he drove her all the way back to the taxi rank.
The incident was first reported on Twitter by popular Ghanaian blogger, Sika Official, and quickly gained attention online.
According to the post, the passenger was stunned when the driver refused to budge on the fare, choosing instead to return her to the starting point rather than accept the lower amount.
The confrontation reflects growing tension between passengers and drivers since the GPRTU announced the fare cuts.
While the fare reduction was welcomed by many commuters as a relief from rising transport costs, its implementation has been anything but smooth.
Some drivers are openly resisting the directive, arguing that their daily expenses — including fuel prices, maintenance, and taxes — haven’t dropped.
As a result, disagreements like the one at UPSA are becoming more frequent across the country.
“The government says reduce fares, but our costs haven’t gone down,” one driver at the UPSA taxi rank told reporters. “We are not against helping passengers, but how do we survive?”
Transport authorities and the GPRTU have called on both drivers and passengers to remain calm and respectful as the new fare structure is rolled out.
They emphasized that the directive is meant to ease financial pressure on the average Ghanaian, not to cause conflict.
In the meantime, passengers are being advised to stay informed about the correct fares and carry smaller denominations to avoid disputes.
Drivers, on the other hand, are reminded that non-compliance could lead to sanctions.
This incident at UPSA highlights the urgent need for better communication and understanding between transport operators and the public.
As Ghana transitions into the new fare system, cooperation will be key to keeping tempers — and taxis — in check.
