A group calling itself Concerned Drivers Union will from today, Monday, July 6, 2020, increase its transport fares by 30 per cent, following the increment in fuel prices.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has reduced the income of commercial drivers because of their reduced intake and adherence to COVID-19 social distancing protocols.
The Vice-chairman of the group, David Agboado said that the situation has compelled them to direct their members across the country to increase transport fares.
In his explanation, he said passengers would have to bear the cost of the recent fuel increment.
“We are telling our passengers that from [today] on when you go out, calculate 30 per cent extra of what you used to pay,” Mr. Agboado noted.
He further indicated that he did not expect the police to interfere with their decision regarding the increment in transport fares, adding that the union has informed commuters prior to the expected increase.
However, Mr. Agboado, said the Union will protest any plans by the police to interfere in their decision.
“If the police do that, on Tuesday, no vehicle, absolutely no vehicle will move within the 16 regions.”
Warning from GPRTU
Ghana’s largest driver union, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), had earlier warned that some drivers “are seriously agitating” against the increases in fuel prices.
The GPRTU Vice Chairman, Robert Sarbah in an interview said the union was doing its best to calm drivers amid attempts to petition the Transport Minister. As a result, the union has given the Minister up to next week Wednesday for a response, Mr. Sarbah indicated.
The union also lamented the toll of COVID-19 protocols on their operations.
“We can no longer bear this cost on ourselves. We had wanted to help but we don’t see the end of this COVID.”
Concerns raised by COPEC
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) also highlighted the adverse effect fuel price increments were having on commercial drivers.
According to COPEC, the revenue made by drivers has decreased between 25% to 40% since the outbreak of COVID-19. Due to this, it is calling for some government intervention in the situation.
“The Central Government can per this, introduce a chit or a coupon system to be administered by the various transport unions for their memberships such that the various fuel stations will be reimbursed the difference between the agreed subsidy or percentage reduction on the fuel purchases by these public transport operators,” COPEC suggested in a statement.
Early on, the Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah advised the government to consider providing stimulus packages for public transport operators if it seeks to avoid increment in transport fares.
“If you look at the kind of numbers they are operating with currently, it is problematic as they have to go and pay for sales, fuel and spare parts among others. We are not in normal times, so we are calling on the government to as a matter of urgency put in place some subsidy program for these commercial transport operators. Either we reduce the taxes on fuel for them alone or we find a way to identify unions and give them some targeted subsidies so that every driver can at least have some minimum amounts to augment their fuel purchases and spare parts,” he said.
