The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has cautioned that transport fares may be adjusted if fuel prices rise, urging commuters to prepare for possible increases in lorry charges. Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Sunday, March 15, the union’s Industrial Relations Officer, Abass Imoro, noted that although some drivers had previously attempted to hike fares independently due to escalating operational costs, the union intervened to restore the officially approved rates.
“We are in business to make profit, and for some time now, many of our members tried to raise fares on their own. GPRTU stepped in to stop this, and fares were returned to the normal levels,” he explained. Mr. Imoro further observed that transport operators had anticipated relief from the recent depreciation of the dollar, expecting lower costs for certain inputs such as lubricants. However, prices have remained largely unchanged, leaving drivers under continued financial strain
“These are all indications that immediately fuel prices change upwards; the possibility of changing lorry fares is also there,” he said. Despite the potential fare review, Mr Imoro assured commuters that the union would not rush into announcing new charges, saying it would carefully monitor market developments before taking any decision.
“The only difference will be that we will not rush for a change in lorry fares, but when the fuel prices go up, automatically everybody should expect a change in the lorry fares,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has warned that petrol and diesel prices could rise to between GH¢13 and GH¢15 per litre, attributing the expected increases to supply disruptions caused by tensions in the Middle East.
Source: Patricia Boakye
