“If I Had the Money, I’d Buy Buses” — John Dumelo Steps In to Support Commuters Amid Fare Hikes
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has expressed confidence that the Ministry of Transport is proactively addressing the persistent issue of passenger overcharging during peak hours, a situation that continues to burden many Ghanaians.
Mr. Dumelo was reacting to a viral video that showed him urging stranded commuters to board a Metro Mass Transit bus.
Addressing the issue, he explained that the incident occurred after he personally went to Metro Mass Transit to arrange and pay for buses to transport passengers who were stranded at Okponglo and Shiashie, heading towards Madina and Lapaz.
According to him, the commuters were unable to get vehicles to return home because many commercial drivers and their mates had imposed excessive fare increases, making it impossible for some passengers to pay.
Speaking on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa Morning Show, Mr. Dumelo said the transport situation is one he feels strongly about, particularly due to the strategic nature of his constituency.
“The transport situation is an issue I am deeply passionate about, especially because most of the major roads lead to Ayawaso,” he said on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa Morning Show.
Mr. Dumelo pointed out that the free transportation initiative he facilitated serves as a temporary solution designed to mitigate the immediate hardships faced by commuters.
The initiative, he noted, will operate for about a week to ten days. “Honestly, if I had the necessary resources, I would purchase buses to provide daily transportation for my constituents,” Mr. Dumelo said.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon MP reiterated his belief that sustainable solutions require collaborative efforts by state institutions, particularly the Ministry of Transport, to regulate fares and improve public transportation systems.
Mr. Dumelo’s actions have received widespread public attention and praise, with many commuters describing the intervention as timely and compassionate amid ongoing economic challenges.
