The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged Ghanaians to disregard the 15% increase in transport fares announced by the Transport Operators Association. Transport Operators Association in a statement announced an increase in fares, effective Monday, July 22.
The GPRTU acknowledged the increase in petroleum product prices and their impact on transportation costs. However, it emphasized that any fare increases must be preceded by proper stakeholder engagement, which has not yet taken place. As a result, the GPRTU directed commercial transport operators to maintain the current fares.
Speaking to Citi News, Abass Imoro, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU said, “We are not coming out with an increment. We are saying no, it is not just any ordinary increment in fuel which attracts fare adjustment. We recently increased lorry fares so we haven’t gotten there. It is unfortunate, for those who came out with that publication.
‘We know what is happening but we have to go by the laid down system before any increment is done. So the public should disregard the press release by those people who said fares will be increased.” Regarding potential public unrest between passengers and drivers, Abass Imoro said his outfit is hopeful that the announcement of the fare increase will be retracted before Monday.
“I will be surprised if drivers have increased the fares and are charging. We strongly believe they will retract it even before Monday,” he added.
