The Greater Regional Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says commercial drivers, may reduce the number of passengers they carry in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The GPRTU said the move is in compliance with the social distancing directive from the President, as part of its precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana.

Explaining how it will be implemented, the Industrial Relations Officer of the Greater Regional Branch of GPRTU, Abass Ibrahim Moro said the number of passengers per seat will be reduced to avoid crowding in the commercial buses, popularly known as “trotros”.

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“We, GPRTU Greater Accra, thought it wise to show concern about how to protect ourselves from the Coronavirus. We suggested the reduction of the number of passengers. For instance, in the cars which take three passengers per row, we will reduce it to two, while the Sprinter buses which take four passengers per row would be reduced to three,” he said.

He, however, suggested that passengers may be paying more to make up for the losses as a result of the fewer numbers, adding that the government could come up with other suggestions as to how to ensure that they are not adversely affected by such a move.

“…We can do that if the government will agree that the number of passengers that we are going to reduce, they will calculate the cost and defray that cost…or if the government can come up with coupon travel or any other thing they will decide which will cater for the reduced number of passengers we may be conveying,” he said.

Some Ghanaians have been calling for adequate precautionary measures by transport owners to protect them since the majority still depend on public transport for their commute in the country.

Among the suggestions was the reduction in the number of passengers to comply with the social distancing directive given by President Nana Akufo-Addo.