The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has urged the general public most especially commuters and drivers, to disregard the recent 20 per cent hike in fares announced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other unions.
According to the GRTCC, the increment in transport fares is determined by stakeholders and not any single body.
The Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU), increased transport fares to 20% which commenced on Monday, May 9, 2022, after they had earlier proposed 30%.
Though GPRTU were supposed to meet with the Transport Ministry and the GRTCC to agree on the increment with the government, they accused the government of intentionally frustrating the process of the fares review.
Also, they claimed their members were struggling to meet its expenses, therefore, the decision to adjust the transport fares to the said 20%.
But, the GRTCC in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, and issued on Monday, May 9, 2022, said, the decision of transport increment is done collectively.
“We wish to state that, transport fares have always been negotiated for and on behalf of all operators by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, no single union or group has the capacity to determine the quantum of increase except the two bodies mentioned above.
“We, therefore, wish to inform the operators and the general public that the Transport Minister has indicated his readiness to meet with the leadership of the GRTCC and GPRTU on Wednesday 11th May 2022, to commence discussion on our proposal for fare increase” the statement contained.
The GRTCC, therefore, called on the drivers to stop charging new fares to the public as they continue to discuss the appropriate adjustment with other stakeholders.
“We want to reiterate that the GRTCC and the GPRTU have not divorced from standing protocols for a fare increase, it is, therefore, unjustified for any group of persons to stampede the process to announce fare increase without reference to the standing protocols”
“We wish to advise the public to disregard any increase and the drivers to desist from charging any new fare, as we continue with the discussion on the appropriate adjustment which will be signed by the representatives of the GRTCC and the GPRTU and communicate the same to you” part of the statement added.
Below is the full statement
