The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has indicated that public transport fares may increase by 30%. This potential hike follows their request to the Ministry of Transport for a fare adjustment. In an interview with Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, September 3, Samuel Amoah, the Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, shared that the proposed increase is a result of rising fuel prices and other operational costs, including spare parts, lubricants, insurance, and taxes.
Mr. Amoah noted that the union had initially suggested a 30% fare increase in August but decided to postpone the proposal after government intervention. Although the government agreed to absorb GH¢2 per liter of diesel, Mr. Amoah mentioned that this measure hasn’t sufficiently lowered fuel prices to avoid the need for fare adjustments.
He emphasised that the current fuel prices remain too high for transport operators to maintain existing fares without incurring losses. “If we don’t implement an increase, the drivers will continue to operate at a loss,” he stated. While Mr. Amoah acknowledged that the 30% figure is open to negotiation with the government and could potentially be lowered, he insisted that some adjustment to transport fares is necessary. “It might come down. However, if we do not want to increase the fares, we will need to see reductions in fuel prices and other costs first,” he explained.
