Transport cost rise: “The Government must stop interfering and do the right thing” – Transport Operators
The International Road and Transport Union has called on its members not to accept the Transport Minister’s order not to pay 20% of transport fares. Speaking to the press in Accra, Alliance President Alex Kofi Sarpong announced that import taxes, prices of tires, engines and other spare parts and even other tariffs have increased. He added that transportation costs cannot be calculated only based on fuel increase, but should also include repair costs. He lamented the lack of attention by the Ministry of Trade and Transport to the challenges faced by other rate indicators. Therefore, he asked his members to maintain 20 percent. Legal from the sidelines.
Background
The Ministry of Transport took a firm stance against commercial drivers who have hiked transport fares outside the approved rates, leading to added financial strain on commuters.
In a directive issued on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Ministry called upon the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to apprehend any driver found contravening the existing fare regulations.
As negotiations for revised public transport fares continue with the Road Transport Operators due to the recent surge in fuel prices and operational costs, the Ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to the current fares set by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
The Ministry’s Public Relations Unit highlighted that drivers must comply with the established fares, warning of legal consequences for those who fail to comply with the directive.
Supporting the Ministry’s directive, the GPRTU and GRTCC issued a joint statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024, urging commuters not to pay any extra charges beyond the approved fares. They denounced the unilateral fare increases by certain commercial drivers as unlawful, affirming ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Transport towards resolving the fare adjustments.
