The Road and Transport Operators have urged commercial drivers and the general public to apply existing transport fares despite the increase in the price of fuel.

A joint statement issued by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) urged passengers to “disregard any purported announcement in increase in fares until a new fare is announced.”

The Road and Transport Operators revealed that it has begun negotiations with the relevant stakeholders to determine an appropriate fare.

The statement follows a decision by the Concerned Drivers Association to revise transport fares upward. According to the Union, this is to ease the effect of increased fuel prices by the government.

“Following the recent increase in the price of petroleum product; we have commenced negotiations with stakeholders to determine an appropriate fare adjustment acceptable to all Transport Operators and the general public.

“The next round of negotiations has been scheduled for next week. By which time, the appropriate fare adjustment would be made known to the general public”.

Transport fares under review

The group further urged the general public to disregard any circulating information on increase in transport fares. It maintained that, an increase in fare will be announced when a consensus is reached.

“We therefore entreat all Transport Operators to continue to apply the existing fares and disregard any purported announcement in increase in fares until a new fare is announced.

“We therefore request members, commuters and the general public to kindly cooperate with us for the successful review of the public transport fares”.

It further urged transport operators and commuters to continue to adhere to safety protocols.

“Precautionary directives on Covid-19 in all public vehicles and terminals are still in force.”

“Members and the general public are kindly requested to comply”.

Prior to this, Public Relations Officer for the Association, David Agboado, had intimated that fares would be increased by 40 per cent. He explained that this will take effect on Monday, May 10, 2020, despite NPA and the Energy Minister’s decision to reduce prices of fuel litre.

GPRTU set to increase transport fare

Earlier, GPRTU announced that fares could go up by as much as 20% in the coming days.

According to the union, the new fares will factor in more than just the current fuel prices.

“We are looking to increase the fares because our argument doesn’t rely on the increase or decrease of fuel prices alone. Before the budget was laid before government, we were advocating for an increase in transport fares and after the budget was read, we were told to wait for its approval. So, tomorrow’s meeting will determine whether we will do a 10, 15, or 20% adjustment to the fare”.

The General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire Adogma averred that the Union was advised to wait until the new fuel prices were released.

“We had a meeting last Thursday with the Transport Ministry but we did not conclude on anything because the information that was given to us was that by May 1, 2021, there will be another rollout of fuel prices so the indication was that we should just hold on…”