Allow an upward review of fares -Ashanti GPRTU

Kumasi, Oct 20, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has called on the authorities to allow an upward review of fares charged by Urvan commuter bus operators in the Region.

This comes in the wake of a directive by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo that Urvan buses should carry three instead of four passengers on a row as prescribed by law. The GPRTU, in a statement signed by Mr Issah M. Khaleepha, Senior Industrial Relations Officer, said a fare increase was necessary to help the mini bus operators to stay in business and ensure transport services to commuters.

"If the Urvan bus operators are to revert to three persons per row it is prudent that the fare of the forfeited person be shared among the remaining three so as to enable the operators break even." The statement recalled that in December 2002 when the Police decided to enforce the law fares were adjusted upwards to make up for the shortfall.

It said the fares were only reduced after Mr Boafo reinstated the arrangement under which the affected buses picked four passengers on a row to lessen the inconvenience and hardships passengers faced at that time of the year when Christmas was just around the corner.

The new directive by the Regional Minister has generated confusion and tension between drivers and passengers in the Region.

While the drivers charge high fares passengers are reluctant to accept a hike in fares.