No decision has been taken on fare increment – GPRTU, GRTCC

The Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) have asked commuters and the public to disregard any purported increment in fares as they have not taken any firm decision.

In a statement on Friday, April 12, 2024, the two bodies said that any increase by members of their union is illegal and must stop.

GPRTU and GRTCC noted that although they are aware of recent fuel price hikes, they are monitoring the situation while still engaging with stakeholders.

“As leadership, we have followed with keen interest the recent adjustment in fuel prices and other related operational costs. We are currently engaging stakeholders to give consideration to the various cost components and agree on the way  forward,” the statement said.

“Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed,” the statement added.

The transport bodies advised regional administrations, metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies, and the station welfare committees to ensure compliance with the existing fares, as no such decision has been taken regarding any fare increment.

Earlier in the week, some transport operators threatened to arbitrarily increase fares starting on Saturday, April 13^th, by some 30% if their leadership did not meet their demands for a fare increment.

The operators cited the recent surges in fuel prices and the increased cost of spares as the reasons for the proposed adjustments in fares.

Below is the press statement from the GPRTU and GRTCC

PURPORTED INCREASE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES

It has come to our attention that some sections of Drivers have arbitrarily increased transport fares in contravention of the Administrative Instrument on the review of public transport fares in the country.

This action is illegal and must be stopped immediately if this is true.

As leadership, we have followed with keen interest, the recent adjustment in the fuel prices and other related operational cost. We are currently engaging stakeholders to give consideration to the various cost components and agree on the way forward.

As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday 10th April, 2024 to present our demands.

Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed. Therefore any increase outside the Administrative Instrument, should be disregarded and treated with contempt. We therefore urge commuters not to pay any fare outside the existing fares.

We are by this statement, urging the Regional Administrations, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the Station Welfare committees to ensure compliance to the existing fares as no such decision has been taken regarding any fare increment.

We also want to urge all drivers to abide by this directive and have confidence in the leadership. We will continue to push for the welfare of transport operators.