Drivers of commercial buses popularly known as "Awudu Issaka" plying the Wa-Kumasi route have accused the leadership of the Wa-Kumasi Express branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of discriminatory practices against them.
They complained that since the introduction of new buses by some companies in collaboration with the Union into the transport system, business had since not been favorable for them any more.
The drivers who made their complaint through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Wa on Thursday, said it took them more than one week or even one month to get passengers back to Kumasi whenever they arrived at Wa.
They therefore appealed to government to intervene to change the situation, else they would soon be out of business if that negative attitude should continue.
When GNA contacted the Regional Industrial Relations Officer, Mr. Nuhu Mahama, who is also the chairman of the branch, he expressed worry and said the drivers were not being fair in their criticism of the branch's operations.
He said Plant Pool Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the Union, took delivery of some Yutong buses from China to augment the country's transport system.
Mr. Mahama said passengers patronized the services of the new buses because they found them to be more comfortable and reliable than the old buses which often break down on the road thereby causing a lot of inconvenience.
"Times are changing and passengers are very conscious about their comfort and safety, so for the drivers to say they are being discriminated against by the Union is unfortunate and an unfair criticism on their part.
"The Union exists because of them but the Union cannot force a passenger to board a bus that he or she feels will not be comfortable for them", he stressed.
Mr. Mahama noted that the old "Awudu Issaka" buses were no more competitive in the transport business, pointing out that was the reason why drivers and owners of those buses felt they were being discriminated against.
The "Awudu Issaka" buses charge nine Ghana cedis from Wa to Kumasi while the new Yutong buses charge 12 Ghana cedis.
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