The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) will resume discussions with the Transport Ministry and other stakeholders this week over a potential increase in transport fares.
The previous dialogue, according to the union, ended inconclusively due to volatile gasoline pump costs.
The discussion began when transportation providers announced a 20% to 40% increase in transportation rates.
Mr. Godwin Abulbire, General Secretary of the GPRTU, informed Citi News that they would honor Tuesday’s engagement with an open mind.
Read Also: New taxes: Expect increase in prices of goods and services soon – Importers
According to him, the company anticipates a rise that would cover the latest increase in fuel price margins.
“What prevented us from concluding the discussion last Wednesday was that the fuel margins, which are currently at 9 pesewas, had to fall further, so we couldn’t have arrived at the number we were aiming for. Our initial goal was a 20% increase, but it seems that the price of fuel is decreasing. As a result, we agreed not to recommend any figures because we will receive the real margins to raise our fares on Tuesday.”
According to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, transportation fares could rise by up to 20%.
The party had shown its determination by unveiling new fares on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, but the government summoned them to the negotiating table.
“We are looking to raise the rates and our case does not depend solely on the rise or fall in fuel costs. We advocated for a raise in transportation rates before the budget was presented to the government, and after the budget was read, we were advised to wait for its acceptance. So, tomorrow’s meeting will decide if we will change the fare by 10%, 15%, or 20%,” GPRTU General Secretary said.
The GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) had requested commercial drivers not to raise fares until the matter was resolved.
SOURCE: ATLFMONLINE
