Don’t pay; purported increase in transport fares illegal – Road Transport Operators to commuters

The leadership of the Road Transport Operators in Ghana are urging commuters not to pay any additional transport fares outside the existing fares since the alleged increase in transport fares by some commercial transport drivers is illegal.

In a joint statement signed by the General Secretaries of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Godred Abulbire and Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, and released in Accra on Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Road Transport Operators said stakeholder engagement on transport fares is still ongoing following the recent upward adjustment in fuel prices and other related operational cost.

“We are currently engaging stakeholders to give consideration to 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, Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana, jointly announced a 15% increase in transport fares effective Saturday, April 13, 2024.

They cited the recent increment in fuel prices and the government’s seeming indifference regarding any reduction in the price of petrol as well as the cost of vehicle spare parts and lubricants to buttress their decision.

However, the leadership of the Road Transport Operators said the move by the two transport operating groups is in contravention with the Administrative Instrument on the review of public transport fares in the country and urged commuters to disregard and treat the purported increase in transport fares with contempt.

“This action is illegal and must be stopped immediately”, the leadership of the Road Transport Operators cautioned.

They have also urged the Regional Administrations, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and Station Welfare Committees to ensure compliance to the existing fares “as no such decision has been taken regarding any fare increment”.

In furtherance to that, they have urged all drivers to abide by the directive and “have confidence in the leadership” as they continue to push for the welfare of transport operators.