Ghana Brings Back ID Tags to Stop Unfair Bus Fares

Commuters in Ghana's capital are getting new protection against drivers who overcharge for rides.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is bringing back identification tags for commercial vehicles across Accra. The move aims to stop "floating" drivers who aren't registered with the union from charging passengers whatever they want.

The union scheduled a meeting for January 20 with Welfare Executives in the Greater Accra Region to finalize how the system will work. Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah explained that Accra has seen the most complaints about fare-related problems, making it the priority for rollout.

The tags will be designed for easy visibility so passengers can quickly spot whether a driver is authorized. While the exact design hasn't been decided, the union emphasized that making them recognizable matters most.

The identification system follows an agreement between transport unions and Ghana's Ministry of Transport. Both parties recognized that passengers needed better protection from exploitation by unapproved drivers operating outside official regulations.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the tags themselves, the union plans to create a dedicated task force to monitor compliance. This team will ensure drivers stick to approved fare structures across all commercial transport routes in the region.

For daily commuters in Accra, this means more predictable costs and fewer arguments over pricing. Passengers will have clear visual confirmation that their driver operates under official union standards and approved rates.

The system also helps legitimate drivers by reducing unfair competition from operators who undercut or overcharge without accountability. Registered drivers have long complained that floating drivers hurt their business while giving the whole industry a bad reputation.

When passengers can trust the fare they're quoted is the official rate, everyone wins. The tags create transparency in a sector where confusion and mistrust have caused daily frustration for thousands of Accra residents.