It was uneasy calm this morning June 5, 2020 at the premises of Metro Mass Transit bus Terminal at Abrepo Junction in the Bantama Constituency of the Ashanti Region as Metro Mass authorities flouted social distance directive by government.
Over 100 passengers who came to board bus from Metro Mass Transit at Abrepo Junction to Sefwi became stranded as the authorities announced the decision to load full passengers in the buses.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) announced reduction of number of passengers on board commercial buses.
The move by the GPRTU was part of precautionary measures the union is considering to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana which also falls in line with directives by President Nana Akufo-Addo for the public to observe social distancing.
The aggrieved passengers expressing their grievances in an interview with Kumasi based Pure Fm’s said the decision by Metro Mass Transit authorities disregarding social distance directive by government will put passengers live at risk.
According to the passengers “When we came here, some of the staff told us they are not implementing social distance directive in the buses today so we should wear our nose mask.
“Majority of us challenged their decision but they told us they have received a letter from GPRTU which states that Metro Mass Transit should stop implementing social distance directives in the buses. We will not allow them to load full passengers because COVID-19 is still in Ghana” the aggrieved passengers said.
They added, “When President Akuffo-Addo addressed the Nation on Covid-19 on May 31, 2020 we did not hear him saying commercial drivers especially Metro Mass Transit should stop implementing social distance directive”.
Meanwhile the passengers have been forced to obey the decision of the Metro Mass Transit authorities as bus which moved from Abrepo Junction to Setwi was loaded full passengers without exercising social distance directive.
All efforts to speak to the Management of Metro Mass Transit proved futile.