GPRTU to propose another 20% hike in transport fares over rising fuel cost

Commuters should be expecting to pay more for transport fares again as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) begins talks with government for an increment of existing fares following recent hikes in the cost of fuel.

The Union introduced a 15 percent increase in transport fares barely a month ago, but now says another increment has become necessary following the astronomical rise in the prices of fuel at the pumps.

This time around, the largest transport union has announced that it is eyeing a possible upward adjustment of about 20 percent.

“There will be fare increment at all cost to cushion our members. It will come. If we want to do adequate adjustment, then we are looking at two issues. Currently, we would be asking for about 20 percent this time around. It’s actually realistic. We are going to speak from the experience we had from the 15 percent; whether it did us good or bad”, General Secretary of the GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire said on Eyewitness News.

Diesel is selling at GHS 10 per litre while the price of Petrol has crossed the GHS 9 mark at some Oil Marketing Companies as projected by industry players.

Taxes and subsidies
But GPRTU says the persistent rise in the cost of petroleum products must be curtailed given its negative impact on revenue generated by its members.

Godfred Abulbire thus mentioned that, the Union will be engaging government to also look at a reduction in petroleum taxes or possible introduction of fuel subsidies as a result of the significant surge.

“The other issue we are going to speak about is that, government should waive off some of the taxes. We want to see if government will listen this time around. If not, then definitely, the fare increment will come. Another area we will discuss with the Transport Ministry is whether subsidies can be introduced.”