Scores of travelllers who are eager to journey home from various destinations for tommorow’s Christmas festivity are stranded at the Volta regional capital of Ho, due to unavailability of cars at the lorry stations to convey passengers to their destinations.
Awake News’ Abdul-Iddrisu Faisel who visited the Kpando/Hohoe stations at 5pm reports that, the travellers are in a state of dejection due to the situation. He adds that some passengers have had to wait for close to three hours before getting on board, whiles the numbers keep increasing.
According to him, some drivers have also taken advantage of the situation by increasing the fares, demanding that those that are willing to pay get on board the car.
“The passengers here are not only stranded. They are virtually frustrated as the sun is settling. At the Kpando/Hohoe stations in the Metro Mass yard, some drivers have virtually pushed the fares up. For instance, the smaller cars charge GH¢16 to Hohoe, whiles the big cars take less. But the big cars are now taking Gh¢20 from here to Hohoe, in other words, the smaller cars would be charging a bit more than the Gh¢20”.
The new fares however would not deter some travellers, who are ready to pay anything just to get to their destinations.
John Kodjo who is traveling from Keta to Kpando says he is ready to pay anything to be able to go home and see his families.
“I came from Keta to pick car to Kpando. I have been here for almost two hours but the numbers are high and it has not gotten to my turn yet. I have to go and see my wife and children at Kpando, so that we can celebrate Christmas together. I am ready to pay anything to be home” he said.
It is a similar situation at both the Ashiaman and Medina car parks at the main Ho station, as travellers quee for turns to get on board a car to Accra.
Some officials of the transport unions noted that the situation began on Saturday and have worsen on Monday. They however assured that they will do everything to make sure that patrons reach their destinations safely.