Passengers in Aburi, in the Eastern region's Akuapem South district, are at odds with transport operators over exorbitant road transport fares.

They  are blaming the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for absurd increases in transportation costs.

Speaking to the media, some concerned youth in Aburi expressed their displeasure that transportation fares from Aburi to any part of the nearby areas are exorbitant in comparison to other places, despite the city's good roads.

A 23-kilometer road from Aburi to Madina now costs Ghc13.60, while a 26.9-kilometer road from Madina to Dodowa costs Ghc10.

The youth argued that transport fares from Aburi to Madina shot up during the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie to Mamfe road two decades ago due to the diversion of the road through Kitase-Brekuso to Kwabenya.

However, drivers failed to reverse the GHC2 additional increment agreed upon with passengers after the road's construction, instead unfairly raising the fares.

This, they say, is worsening the plight of the people and also affecting businesses and tourism.

Fred Odei Addo Duodu, Secretary to the youth group demanded immediate reduction in transport fares else the youth will rise.

He further stated that "it is our fervent prayer that our demands today on paper must translate into a renewed action by the transport unions to expose those unscrupulous drivers who charge exorbitantly based on their own discretion, push for bolder policies to flush out drivers who disregard the approved general pricing principle by the transport unions".

Some opinion leaders in the community said they have made several efforts to petition the Greater Accra Regional GPRTU executives and Akuapem South District Chief Executive, but the GPRTU has failed to act on their grievances.

Residents have given a one-week ultimatum for the fares to be reduced or else they will stage a massive demonstration, and subsequently expulse recalcitrant drivers from plying into Aburi township.

However, some of the drivers told Starr News, they can't not be blamed because they only implement fares approved by GPRTU.