Charges by commercial vehicle drivers have always been a subject of controversy, especially during the rainy season, when the roads are so ghastly that vehicle owners only venture into certain areas after levying heavy charges on reluctant passengers.

But there are some drivers who take advantage of commuters at certain places, come rain or shine.  Double charges are common along these routes: Brikama/Tabokoto, Brikama/Westfield, Westfield/Banjul, and even Westfield/Bakau.

Commuters between Westfield and Bakau, however, say they have had enough. Some who spoke to the Daily Observer expressed their consternation over what they described as illegal double charges being imposed on them by taxi drivers plying this route, and called on the authorities to put an end to the unfortunate trend.

They argued that taxi drivers plying the said route continue to exploit them, despite the recent increment in transportation tariffs which, they said, was in fact not a favorable development for them in the first place.

According to reports, when a passenger boards a vehicle at Westfield, they are bound to be intercepted at Sabena Junction, Pipeline, where they will be obliged to pay an extra D6 if they are to reach Bakau.

A frequent traveler on this road, who spoke to the Daily Observer on condition of anonymity, expressed great concern about the shocking situation.  He said that taxi drivers, singling out those that drive small vehicles, would pretend that they are headed for Sabena Junction, but upon arrival there, they would then announce that they were in fact heading for Bakau.  This, he said, costs a passenger D12, as they would have to pay for both distances.

"This is very unfair to the average people who frequently travel along this route in their quest to make ends meet.  Drivers should have mercy on the people, as our earnings are not only meant to be absorbed by transport expenses," remarked the passenger, and he went on: "In fact, why the disembarkation at Sabena Junction? Is that junction officially declared as a car park for commercial vehicles?" he asked. He then concluded by forwarding a strong appeal to the relevant authorities to put a stop to the drivers’ spree of exploitation.

A female commuter amplified the appeal for the relevant authorities to step in and save them from such an exploitative situation. According to her, this kind of dishonesty should never be tolerated as it is at the detriment of the people.

The Alkalo of Bakau, Alhagie Luntang Jaiteh, added his voice to the debate, noting that he had received an unprecedented number of complaints from people about the situation.

In his view, this is something very serious "as it is totally against the law." He noted that urgent and severe measures should be taken to avert the menace.

"I have received enough complaints from my people about it and I think now is the right time to say enough.  As a matter of fact, there is no car park at Sabena, only in Bakau.  So any taxi driver who takes in passengers should come straight to the Bakau car park," the Alkalo declared, while appealing to the law enforcers, notably the police, to be vigilant.
 
However, all attempts to get a comment from the authorities at The Gambia Transport Control Association (GNTCA) office proved futile, as the officials were said to be out on official engagements.