The Ghana Association of Passengers (GHANAPAS), a group that seeks the welfare of passengers, on Tuesday called on transport unions to remove extra seats fitted into passenger vehicles or risk court action.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, GHANAPAS said: "We demand the immediate removal of the excess seats fitted into all cargo vehicles converted into passenger vehicles and the re-arrangement of the seats for proper spacing for passenger safety and comfort."
The statement signed by Freddie T. Caut-Pinto, National Executive Chairman of GHANAPAS, called on national executive bodies of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and all transport unions in the country to advise their members to comply with the demand latest by December 31, 2009.
Mr. Caut-Pinto told the GNA that if the transport unions did not comply, "we will resort to the law courts because the law prohibits the practice".
He said the manner in which private public transport operators had fitted extra seats into cargo vehicles converted into passenger vehicles, made commuting hazardous and uncomfortable, adding that it usually contributed to the killing and maiming of passengers in the event of an accident.
Vehicles particularly notorious for that practice include Mercedes Benz 207 mini buses, Nissan Urvan, VW LT and Mercedes Benz Cargo Trucks converted into passenger vehicles.
Mr. Pinto said Sections 80 and 104 of the Road Traffic Act, Act 683, 2004, and Section 80 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, Act 761, 2008 made it an offence for public transport operators to overload their vehicles and/or carry passengers in a manner that discomforts them.
Section 80 (1) of Act 683, for instance, states: "A person commits an offence if that person causes or permits another person to use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when.the number of passengers carried by it, or the manner in which they are carried.is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger or injury to any person or damage to property.
"We will seek collaboration with the police, DVLA and National Road Safety Commission to ensure the enforcement of the law," he said.
GHANAPAS is a non-governmental organisation seeking to ensure sanity in the public transport system, with particular emphasis on commuters' safety, comfort and other interests.
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