GPRTU suspends 60% fare increment
The proposal to raise transportation charges by sixty percent has been put on hold by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
After the Emission Levy Bill was introduced in January 2024, the largest transport union had already declared that it would raise transportation fares by 60% in 2024.
On TV XYZ lunchtime news, however, GPRTU Public Relations Officer Abass Imoro stated that the fee increase had been “put on hold for a while” in an interview with Piesie Okrah.
He added that the Union had petitioned the Speaker of Parliament on the Emission Levy Bill and that the precise timing of the fare hike had not yet been decided.
He said the bill will overburden drivers especially when the prices of spare parts had been increased.
“The Abossey Okai spare parts dealers have increased their prices due to high import charges so the increase in fares will happen but we are holding on a bit due to the petition,” Imoro said in Akan.
He continued, ” if nothing is being done or nothing can be done about these levies, then we will come out with an upward adjustment of lorry fares not less than 60%.”
About the Emissions Levy Bill
The recently passed Emissions Levy Bill by Parliament imposes an annual fee of 100 cedis on all owners of petrol and diesel cars, starting from January 2024.
The government aims to promote the use of environmentally friendly energy sources for vehicle power through this tax, aligning with its commitment to climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives.
In response to these developments, the GPRTU has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, urging a reconsideration of the Emission Levy Bill.