The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged Ghanaians to disregard the 15% increase in transport fares announced by the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana.
In a statement, the Association announced a 15% increase in transport fares, effective Monday, July 22.
While the GPRTU acknowledges the rising prices of petroleum products and their significant impact on transportation costs, it said fares can only be increased after proper stakeholder engagement, which has not yet happened.
The GPRTU has therefore directed commercial transport operators to adhere to the current fares.
“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,” the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abass Imoro told Citi News.
‘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” he stated.
Regarding potential public unrest between passengers and drivers, Abass Imoro expressed hope 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.