GPRTU drivers call for 30% increase in transport fares

Drivers of Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union (GPRTU) are calling on the union to increase transport fares by some 30% following the recent increase in fuel prices.

According to them, the latest hike in fuel prices is having a toll on their income hence the need for its mother body to increase transport fares with immediate effect.

Fuel prices hit a high mark of 5 cedis in September. The price of petrol and diesel is currently pegged at GH¢5.21 per litre, up from the previous price of GH¢5.07 per litre despite a reduction in the price of crude oil in the international market.

Francis Annor, a member of the GPRTU told host Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa FM “We are being cheated here, every time prices of fuel go up but transport fares remain the same. How is the government expecting us to get our money to take care of our families? We want the GPRTU to increase the fares to about 30 percent because currently we are at a lost”.

However, General Secretary of Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, Andrew Kwakye said they are yet to meet the Ministry of Transportation and other stakeholders to make a determination as to whether the increment in justifiable or not.

“It is very unfortunate for anyone to want to increase transport fares while our activities are governed by rules and regulations. No one has the right to increase transport fares. We would want them to allow the institutions mandated to determine prices of transport fares to do their work”.

He explained that the union has taken cognizance of the fact that there has been astronomical increase in fuel prices, but members of various drivers’ union should exercise restraint and allow the authorities to address their concerns.

He added, “we shouldn’t allow people to push us to do what are to do and we work with time. At the right time, the appropriate body will announce whether it should be increased or not. There are several factors that goes into calculation of transport fares. The council will meet stakeholder to deliberate on it”.