By Nelson Manneh
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force Assistant Superintendent Muhammed Darboe, on Friday 3rd February 2023 informed the press that thirty-eight commercial vehicles have been impounded for abusing the new fare tariff, by overcharging passengers.
ASP Darboe said the vehicles were impounded by the Kanifing traffic police who apprehended six drivers in Bundung whilst two others were apprehended in Brikama.
“The drivers apprehended were found taking advantage of passengers regarding the new fare scheme, as most of them were charged passengers beyond the normal fares,” he said. The Deputy Spokesperson Darboe said all the apprehended drivers were reported to them by the passengers.
“We will continue to do all we can to ensure drivers adhere to the rules or face the wrath of the law. We have started prosecuting them and we will continue to do so as long as they continue to violate the law,” he said. Deputy Spokesperson Darboe said some drivers abuse passengers by collecting multiple fares for single destinations where they are supposed to charge passengers only one fare.
“We have seen drivers coming from Brikama and telling passengers that they will stop at Latrikunda, only to proceed to Westfield and collect another fare from passengers which is not fair,” he said.
As an enforcement institution, ASP Darboe said the police will continue to scavenge for such drivers and drag them to court.
“This is daylight robbery and exploitations which must come to an end. The fares were agreed and made such that there will be a symbiotic mode of operation between drivers and passengers,” he said.
DPS Darboe urged passengers to adhere to the new fares and help the police in fishing out unscrupulous drivers who abuse passengers’ rights by over charging them.
He urged passengers to pay the exact amount on fares for their journeys based on the new tariff and not to pay more.
