The Ghana Private Roads and Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) have asked commuters not to pay any planned new transport tariffs that have not yet received official clearance.
This announcement comes in response to the Transport Operators Union and the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana announcing a 30% rise in transportation fares on April 13, 2024.
In a joint press release, the GPRTU and GRTCC indicated that the decision to raise fares stemmed from the government’s inability to address their concerns.
In their statement, the GPRTU and the GRTCC did, however, stress that any fare increase that deviates from the guidelines established by the Administrative Instrument that oversees the nation’s evaluation of public transportation charges is unlawful and ought to be ignored.
Moreover, both entities emphasized their continuous endeavors to interact with interested parties and the Ministry of Transportation in order to comprehensively evaluate the different cost elements and arrive at a mutually acceptable conclusion about the issue.
“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.”
Below is the full statement
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.
