The General Secretary of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr. Godfred Abulbire has indicated that the Union will be meeting with the Minister of Transport today, 17th April 2024, to conclude discussions on increment margin for transport fares.
He noted that though the Union and Ministry of Transport have not reached an agreement, some drivers in the Cape Coast and Takoradi have increased their fares by 20%.
He stated that the Union has directed the Regional Chairmen of these areas to instruct the drivers to stop charging the new fares until the Union concludes negotiations with the Ministry of Transport.
“Their [drivers’] reaction is such that they believe the [Union] leaders are in bed with the Transport Ministry. They now suspect that we are not dialoguing their interest to the Ministry. Sometimes it is the delayance in making a decision at our meetings that makes them lose their patience and act in that manner”.
Mr. Godfred Abulbire
He however noted that he believes that the Union and the Ministry of Transport will reach an agreement concerning the issue at hand, today.
Moreover, Mr. David Agboado, the Public Relations officer of the Concerned Drivers Association (CDA) noted that despite GPRTU’s directive to cease taking increased charges from passengers until an agreement is reached, its members have increased transport fares by 20%.
He stated that the transport operators have components by which they increase the transport fares and the prices of these components have gone up.
He detailed that while Lubricant gained an 85% increment and spare parts and cost of cars recorded over 100% increment, DVLA and Insurance Printing and Tie and Wear (tyres and batteries) gained 45% and 75% increment respectively.
He stated that the increment in fuel price is outrageous as the price of fuel has increased about six times within the first quarter of the year. He maintained that transport fares must be increased for drivers to get some relief from the burden caused by the increment in spare parts prices, and cost of insurance among others.
CDA To Support GPRTU
Furthermore, Mr. Agboado noted that other drivers, in the inner city especially, deserve the 20% increment that their counterparts in Kumasi, Takoradi, and Cape Coast are charging passengers, emphasizing that the CDA will be present at the meeting with the Minister of Transport to serve as a support to the GPRTU.
He noted that, unlike the GPRTU, the CDA is not inhibited by any constitutional constraints and can implement an increase in fare charges without negotiations with the Ministry of Transport. He emphasized that the rise in spare part prices necessitates an increase in transport fares.
“They charge abysmal prices when you are going to buy the spare parts. Because we are buying the parts at high prices and we are selling them at relatively lower prices to the consumers. We are selling them with a conscience. At least the 20% increment is good because we can go more than the 20%”.
Mr. David Agboado
He noted that a 20% increment in transport fare is fair enough as it will not be too much for passengers to afford while he asserted that the CDA will stick with its 20% increase in fares while it awaits the outcome of GPRTU’s negotiations with the ministry of transport.
Mr. Godfred Abulbire further indicated that contrary to Mr. Agboado’s conviction, the increment in transport fare is not calculated using all components (cost of spare parts, DVLA and Insurance Printing, cost of car, lubricant, and tie and wear).
He noted that in calculating the transport increment, only the components whose prices have increased are factored in, emphasizing that it makes the justification of the increment to the Ministry of Transport reasonable and stress-free.
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