Drivers Reject Calls for Reduction of Fares

Recent calls from commuters to transport unions and drivers to reduce fares in response to the drop in fuel prices seem to have been disregarded.

The Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, explained that the current reduction in fuel prices is not the same as the price of fuel when transport fares were increased, hence the call for a reduction in transport fares cannot be considered.

“The last time we raised transport fares was in May of this year, when fuel prices were GHC 11.69, and we cannot reduce transport fares until fuel prices fall to the same level.”

In an interview on GBC’s Uniiq Breakfast Drive, Mr. Agboado further explained that the Association demanded an increase in fares from the Ministry of Transport when the price of fuel increased from GHC 10.80 to GHC 11.69, but the Ministry pleaded with them to wait because of the current economic hardship the country is facing, although it agreed to their proposal.

He revealed that the Concerned Drivers Association demanded a 40 percent increase out of the 48 percent.

“We started discussion when a liter of fuel was selling at GHC 11.69, of which we were demanding a 40 percent increment.”

“The GHC 6 to GHC 8 is a 48 percent increment, but we decided to take only 40 percent, which also became front and back until the fuel price moved from GHC 11.69 in May to GHC 15.99, before they agreed on the 40 percent we wanted to take under the GHC 11.69 price.”

“The current transport fare was introduced when fuel was selling at GHC 11.69. “That’s why I am saying it can’t be reduced unless it decreases further to GHC 11.69,” he noted.