Transport fare hikes disappointing – AFAG

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has said the recent hike in transport fares is not justified, following the recent drop in fuel prices.

Arnold Boateng, a spokesperson for AFAG, has said there was no need for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to increase transport fares at a time the cedi has also stabilised against the major trading currencies, especially the dollar.

Public transport fares will see a 15 per cent increase across the country, beginning Thursday April 6, 2017, the Road Transport Operators announced.

In a release dated Monday April 3, 2017, the group said: “In line with the Administrative Instrument on public transport fares, the Road Transport Operators have reviewed the prices of the various elements that go into running of commercial transport services and have increased transport fares by 15%. The Road Transport Operators have therefore issued new road transport fares.

The release said the new fares will affect intra-city (trotro), inter-city (long distance), and taxi services.

It asked its members to display the new fares at the various terminals to avoid “confrontations” with the travelling public.

But reacting to the fare hikes in an interview with Accra News on Wednesday April 5, Mr Boateng said: “This is a disappointment to Ghanaians because we thought there was no need, following the drop in the prices of crude oil.

“Again government hasn’t increased salaries of workers so why increase transport fares? The Minister who met with the GPRTU has disappointed Ghanaians because he failed to listen to the concerns of consumers. What is the basis for the increase at a time fuel prices are reducing and the cedi is appreciating. This increase will definitely bring untold hardship on Ghanaians."