GPRTU set to announce new transport fares as 15% increment looms
The percentage increase in transportation fares is expected to be communicated by the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Tuesday, April 5 2022.
GPRTU had to suspend its planned decision to upwardly adjust fares by 15%. It explained that its suspension of the initial decision was to get adequate information on the government’s reduction of fuel prices.
It will be recalled that the government reduced fuel prices by 15 pesewas per litre and it is expected to last for three months.
This was revealed by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on March 24, 2022, while disclosing measures put in place by the government to cushion Ghanaians against current economic shocks.
Meanwhile, the Head of Communications for GPRTU, Abass Imoro, maintained that the 15 pesewas reduction in fuel prices is not enough hence the union’s decision to increase fares.
“The leadership of GPRTU will meet tomorrow [Tuesday] and come up with the final decision. We’ll make an announcement on how much we will be charging. There is no hope with the 15 pesewas reduction, so we will be coming up with a credible percentage.”
GPRTU made efforts to meet the government over their decision to increase transport fares by 20%.
Transport fares were increased by 15 per cent in February when fuel prices averaged GH¢6.4 per litre. However, a litre of fuel now sells for GH¢10 after crossing the GHS 8 per litre mark in the first week of March 2022.
The union said the move has become necessary due to the increase in the prices of petroleum products.
Both commercial and private drivers, as well as other stakeholders, have called on the government to scrap some taxes on fuel to cushion consumers.
