Commercial transport operators have been directed to maintain existing transport fares until new charges are approved.
The directive follows increments in fuel prices brought on by the implementation of new taxes and levies in the country.
A joint statement issued by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) said negotiations have already begun to determine an “appropriate fare adjustment acceptable to all transport operators and the public.”
“We, therefore, entreat all transport operators and the general public to continue to apply the existing fares and disregard any purported announcement of an increase in fares until a new fare is announced.”
The unions asked their members, commuters and the general public to kindly cooperate with them for the successful review of the public transport fares.
Many passengers anticipated that transport fares in the country will increase immediately after the government’s new tariffs, including a 30-pesewa hike in petroleum products, which kicked in on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
An increase in transport fares is most likely to also affect the general cost of goods and services in the country.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), however on Tuesday reduced the 17-pesewa increase in the margin on the prices of petroleum products to nine pesewas.
Many transport unions have already announced an impending upward review of fares.
For instance, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has stated that the fares could go up by as much as 20% which will factor in more than just the current fuel prices.
We’ll increase transport fares by 40% on Monday – Concerned Drivers Association
Also, a group known as the Concerned Drivers Association has indicated that it will increase transport fares by 40 percent, effective Monday, May 10, 2021.
It says its resolve to increase the fares holds, despite the government’s announcement of a reduction in the price of fuel by eight pesewas per litre.
Spokesperson for the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, says fares will still go up in consideration of various factors, including the anticipation of a general increase in the cost of fuel in the coming weeks on the world market.
“The OMCs have their own margin that they will bring out later because we know that the world market will be shooting up from today to the 15th. The first window will come out and when it does, it will be more than that 27 cedis so based on that, we’ll stick with the 40% we want to take. It will take effect on Monday,” he said.
