The Ministry of Transport has urged the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to keep an eye out for any commercial driver who has resorted to charging new transport fares that are higher than the previous ones, imposing an undue strain on passengers.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Unit and released in Accra on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Ministry stated that discussions for increased public transport charges with Road Transport Operators are still underway in light of recent increases in fuel prices and other operating costs.
It consequently wants commercial drivers to continue the existing public transport fares as instructed by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
Anyone who violates this instruction, it continued, will face the full force of the law.
“The Ministry is urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC” , the statement went on to say.
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) made a joint statement in Accra urging commuters not to pay any higher transport fees above the present fares.
They condemned the claimed rise in transit fares by certain commercial transport drivers as unlawful, and stated that they were still in discussions with the Ministry of transit about increased costs.
Read Also: WhatsApp lowers minimum age in Europe to 13
“We are currently engaging stakeholders to consider the various cost components and agree on the way forward. As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday 10th April, 2024, to present our demands. Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed”, the statement in part read.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, two transport operating groups, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana, jointly announced a 15% rise in transport charges beginning Saturday, April 13, 2024.
They cited the recent increase in fuel prices, the government’s apparent indifference to any drop in petrol prices, and the cost of car replacement parts and lubricants to support their decision.
