The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged Ghanaians to disregard the recent reports of a 15% increase in transport fares announced by the Transport Operators Association.
The Transport Operators Association issued a statement about the fare hike, set to take effect on Monday, July 22.
While the GPRTU acknowledged the rising costs of petroleum products and their impact on transportation expenses, it emphasized that fare increases should follow proper stakeholder consultations, which have not yet occurred.
As a result, the GPRTU has instructed commercial transport operators to maintain current fare rates.
Speaking to Citi News, Abass Imoro, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, stated, “We are not coming out with an increment. We are saying no, it is not just any ordinary increment in fuel which attracts fare adjustment. We recently increased lorry fares so we haven’t gotten there. It is unfortunate for those who came out with that publication.
“We know what is happening, but we have to go by the laid-down system before any increment is done. So the public should disregard the press release by those people who said fares will be increased.”
Regarding potential public unrest between passengers and drivers, Abass Imoro expressed confidence that the announcement of the fare increase would be retracted before Monday.
“I will be surprised if drivers have increased the fares and are charging. We strongly believe they will retract it even before Monday,” he added.
