The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is set to meet on Wednesday, April 10, to deliberate on the possible increase in transport fares.
However, the Western regional branch of the union has announced a 30-percent increment in transport fares for its members, effective Monday, April 8.
The driver’s union has complained over the increasing cost of fuel and spare parts, and DVLA documentation fees, which they say are rendering their business less profitable.
Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight, on Friday, April 5, Mr. David Agboado, president of the Concerned Drivers Association, said the union will not wait on the transport ministry this time since the ministry is “not up and doing.”
“Because of the reintroduction of the price stabilisation and recovery levy, that makes it [fuel] to go up twice. Now that the oil marketing companies are threatening that it will go up, we too won’t sit aloof,” he said.
“Our business is going down…I’m sure after Wednesday’s meeting we will not have a meeting for the passengers, because we have traded for loss for a long time, and this time around we are going to increase our transport fares. We will not even wait to meet the [transport] ministry because the ministry is not up and doing.”
Responding to the concerns about the percentage of increment passengers should expect, Mr. Agboado said in his personal view he is looking for a 20 or 30 percent increment, adding that “the range should fall between 20 and 30 percent.”
He explained that the increment they are calling for is only in respect of fuel price hikes.
“Spare parts is skyrocketing, everything. When you buy an engine today, tomorrow you will not get it at the same price in the market and it is disturbing our business,” Mr. Agboado emphasised.
He noted that the drivers have been on the association to announce an increment over the last three months. He said the time has come to increase the fares since the transport ministry hasn’t shown much interest in the plights of the drivers.