The Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU) says management has no intention to effect an increment in transport fares due to the recent 3 percent increment in fuel prices in the country.
The Industrial Relations Officer of GPRTU, Alhaji Imoro Abass explained that though the recent 3% increment of fuel would affect the cost of running the transport industry, management has not taken any decision to increase transport fares due to “hardship in the country”.
Mr. Abass further argued that the 3 percent fuel increment slapped on the transport services would adversely affect the day-to-day activities of the business because there’s no subsidy to mitigate the burden it will bring on transport owners, “especially when government has taken off subsidies on fuel and therefore cost of fuel is directly affecting the transportation business in the country”.
On June 5, 2021, GPRTU and other transport unions announced 13% increase in transport fares. This decision according to the Ghana Road Transport operators, have become necessary due to high cost of maintenance fees and fuel.
The group said after long negotiations with stakeholders, a 13% upward adjustment in fares across all category of services has been agreed upon, hence the announcement.
However, fears are heightened this week as fuel prices at the pump went slightly, signaling that there may be an increase in transport fares.
But the Transport Unions have allayed fears of commuters.
“As law abiding Union in the transport services, we will engage government on the recent increment but in case there’s another increment, there will be no need to engage government again than to take steps to increase fares as well”, the Industrial Relations Officer of GPRTU, Alhaji Imoro Abass said.
He called on government to reassess the subsidy it removed on fuel which he said could possibly address and minimize cost of fuel and transport fares.
