GPRTU warns of 30% fare increase amid rising fuel costs

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says it may be forced to increase transport fares by 30% if urgent steps are not taken to reduce the rising cost of fuel and other expenses affecting commercial transport operators.

The union’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, said discussions with government over the recent surge in petroleum prices have not yielded any response, despite concerns raised by drivers.

He explained that although operators are facing several cost pressures, including expensive spare parts, lubricants and taxes, fuel remains the biggest challenge affecting their operations.

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He said government had earlier assured Ghanaians that fuel prices would decline, but the situation on the market has not reflected that promise as cited by myjoyonline.com.

“We proposed last week that government should do something about petroleum products... But government promised fuel prices would come down, and that is not what we are seeing," he said.

He noted that the three-day window given to government to respond to their concerns has elapsed, with the union now preparing to engage the Ministry of Transport for possible solutions.

According to him, if no measures are introduced to ease the pressure on drivers, the union will have little option but to proceed with the proposed 30% fare increase.

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He added that many commercial drivers are struggling to make profits because a significant portion of their daily income is being spent on fuel.

The GPRTU is expected to meet with officials from the Transport Ministry as it seeks a resolution before taking a final decision on the proposed fare adjustment

DR/SA