Commuters decry hike in transport fares

It is not unusual that increased transport fares will follow the hikes in petrol. As a matter of fact, more often than not, fares are increased almost immediately petrol prices shoot up.

Usually, it takes time for commuters to absorb the changes and accept the new fares in such instances.

Though minimal, the situation has not been very different since the new increase.

Ghanaweb visited some lorry stations around the Kwame Circle including the Neoplan station, the Odawna station and the Jeoun VIP bus station, to determine how commuters are adjusting to the new fares. For some people, they were still yet to come to terms with the new prices.

“I boarded a car this morning and when I complained about being shortchanged I was told fares have been increased. I asked when and I was told effective today”, one lady said.

Another passenger who says he is yet to adjust to the increment said the new fares, even though can be described as a slight one, has caused a “dwindle in his pocket”. Others also complained about the inconsistency and the refusal of some drivers to adhere to the 10% increment.

Some commuters however remained non-chalant about the entire change.

“I heard about it and I am not perturbed. If there is an increase in fuel prices on the world market, government cannot shoulder everything, so it is normal if fares have to go up” a gentleman said.

“I heard about it last week. I heard that the consultative coordinating council has met and there was the likelihood of an increment of 10% starting from Monday. We all know how fuel prices have been going up, so if now they want to increase it, it is understandable to some of us, it has been long overdue.”, another said.

Transport operators announced a 10% increase in fares last week Thursday following last month’s announcement of increased petrol prices. According to a statement released by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, the increment was “to accommodate predominantly an increase in fuel prices.”

The increment as expected has provoked varied reactions from commuters across the country, with most of them bewailing the new rates.

Most drivers who spoke to Ghanaweb about the increment said even though they expected the raise to be more than the 10% they are happy with it. They also indicated passengers have mostly been more corporative in paying the new fares.