The Committed Drivers Association, have stated that the 15 percent increment in transport fares cannot address the increase in petroleum prices and other costs incurred by drivers.
The Association indicated that during the negotiations, driver unions pushed for a 30 percent increment however, stakeholders settled on half of the proposed increase suggesting the 30 percent to be outrageous.
The Association stated that some of the reasons why drivers have been pushing for fare increment for several months is due to the rising fuel cost and other products. The drivers also cited high import duty on vehicles and an increase in the cost of spare parts and vehicle lubricants.
However, despite the new decision, the Association has indicated that they are independent and not bound by decisions taken by the GPRTU and the GRTCC.
According to the Committed Drivers Association, it will consider its 30 percent increment as against the 15 percent increase suggested by the executives of GPRTU and GRTCC. The 30 percent was a decision they agreed to implement ahead of the recent decision concluded by executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
The Committed Drivers Association, the National Concerned Drivers Association and the True Drivers Union initially insisted on a 30 percent increase prior to the meeting and after series of consultation with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU),the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ministry of Transport.
15 percent fare increment
Road Transport Operators have today, February, 22, 2022 concluded negotiations on increment in fares pegging the percentage increase at 15 percent. These new fares will take effect Saturday, February 26, 2022. It includes fares for shared taxis, intra-city (tro-tro) and intercity (long distance).
In a statement by the operators, it requested all commercial transport operators to comply with the new fares and post same at their loading terminals.
The increment, according to the operators, is in line with the administrative arrangement on public transport fares and after intense negotiations with stakeholders and in consideration of the plight of drivers, commuters and the general public.
The road operators also cited current trends on the international market which is; the exchange rate in the dollar price and its impact on domestic fuel prices. They disclosed that the decision to increase transport fares has been necessitated by the economic hardship the country is facing and its negative impact on their work.
Member of the Communication Team of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU), Samuel Amoah, speaking on the increment urged the public to cooperate with the drivers to implement the new charges successfully.
Mr. Amoah noted that the approved transport fare is the one with the 15 per cent increase because that’s what they have agreed upon.
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