GPRTU seeks 30% increase in public transport fares
The transport union says rising fuel prices and the cost of spare parts, insurance, lubricants and taxes are leaving commercial drivers at risk of operating at a loss.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union has asked the government to approve a 30% increase in public transport fares, citing higher fuel prices and other operating costs.
The proposed adjustment has not yet been approved and could be reduced during negotiations with the Ministry of Transport, according to the union.
GPRTU Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said some increase was expected unless fuel prices and other major costs faced by commercial transport operators declined.
“If we don’t come out with any increment, the drivers will still be running at a loss,” he told Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, 3 September.
Mr Amoah said the union submitted the 30% proposal after considering changes in the cost of fuel, spare parts, lubricants, insurance and taxes.
He said the GPRTU had initially proposed the increase in August but suspended the move following an appeal from the government.
The government subsequently decided to absorb GH¢2 per litre of diesel, according to Mr Amoah. He said the intervention had, however, not reduced fuel prices sufficiently to allow commercial drivers to maintain the existing fares without suffering losses.
The GPRTU official acknowledged that the proposed 30% increase was subject to negotiations and could be revised downwards.
“It’s likely it might come down,” he said.
“But for the increment not to happen, they would have to reduce the fuel price and the other components before we decide not to increase the fares.”
The proposal does not amount to an immediate fare increase. Passengers are therefore expected to continue paying the existing approved fares until the GPRTU and the government reach an agreement and officially announce any adjustment.
The supplied material does not state when negotiations will be concluded or when revised fares could take effect.
It also does not include a response from the Ministry of Transport or indicate whether other transport unions support the proposed 30% adjustment.
Any substantial increase would affect the daily travel costs of workers, students and traders, while also adding to the cost of moving goods and services.
Commercial drivers, however, argue that maintaining the existing fares while their expenses rise would make their operations financially unsustainable.
The outcome of the negotiations will determine whether the full 30% proposal is approved, reduced or suspended in exchange for further government intervention in fuel and other operating costs.