Tudu Drivers Lament Low Patronage After Fuel Prices, Fare Increases

Some drivers at Tudu in Accra have complained about how the hike in fuel prices is affecting their transport business.

Speaking to TV3, the drivers explained that due to the fuel price increment, they are unable to make a profit from their basic sales, as most of the fares go into the purchase of fuel. Some of these drivers expressed their worry.

“Now our work is spoilt because of the fuel, because if they reduce the fuel, then we are okay. They have increased the fares, so there are no passengers, “Emmanuel Kobla Okudzeto remarked.

He further stressed that he comes to sleep at the station for about four days before he can get his bus full of passengers.

“Work was getting worse, but the situation today is nothing to write home about. Two years ago, before COVID, our lorry fare was GHC 30 Ghana cedis from here to Atidome. The union takes GHC 30 Ghana, and I’m left with GHC 300 when I load. The GHC 300 is just enough for me to fuel my car in and out. Today, on the same route, the fare is GHC 52 cedis. That GHC 52 cannot fuel my car in and out,” lamented Kwabena Asiabu, another driver.

He highlighted that with the hike in fuel prices and the increase in fares, he still has to pay a huge amount of money in order to fuel his car, and that the leadership should do something about the current situation.

Kwaku furthered that their operational costs are increasing by the day, which has resulted in a faster increase in the cost of engine oil and car tyres compared to the cost of fuel prices, which no one wants to talk about, adding that if nothing is done about it, their business will collapse before the end of the year.