The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced a 10% increase in transport fares across all category of services effective June 4.
According to the Union, this is necessary to accommodate the rising fuel prices as well as other administrative costs in providing service.
The fares cover intra-city (trotro), intercity (long distance) as well as shared taxis.
In January this year, the Union hinted of plans to increase transport fares with the Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, Robert Saba, explaining that the Union have had to bear the extra cost for some time, but can no longer absorb it.
“The spare parts have gone up and it is not the fuel alone that we use in calculating our fares. Looking at the current situation, the spare parts have gone up and it demands an increase in lorry fares. Almost every part that we use [the price] has gone up,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.
“We have fought hard not to increase the fares. The tyres that we use, the rings that we buy in overhauling our vehicles, the bearings; almost everything has gone up. With this, we have no choice but to increase fares to mitigate the impact,” he adds.
Mr Saba’s concerns about hikes in spare part prices come despite government’s decision to scrap import duties on some vehicle parts.
Mr Saba reveals, however, that the decision to increase transport fares will be done in consent with government and major stakeholders in the transport sector.
However, the National Chairman of GPRTU, Kwame Kuma explained that even though the Union would have preferred a 15% increase, “upon consultation with government, we have agreed to a 10% increase.
“Government has assured us that it will continue with efforts to prevent a steep rise in input cost,” he said.
Mr Kuma said the Union is hopeful government will keep its word in that regard.
He appealed to members of the Union to comply with the news fares and directed that they post the new fares at their loading terminals.
“We further request members, commuters and the general public to kindly cooperate for the successful implementations of the new fares,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
