Group demands immediate Reduction in Transport Fares following a decline in Petrol and Diesel prices
"It would interest you to note that, as an association, our members have had challenges in paying these high increases in transport fares since the GPRTU added more than 15% the last two moths,’’
Association of Passengers in Ghana (APG) has called on the mother association of driver unions – the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Ghana Road Transport Cordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to immediately review transport fares by adjusting it downwards to reflect the prevailing market prices of petrol and diesel. This according to the group will bring some relief to Ghanaian passengers.
The group made the call after noticing through their checks that the prices of the two commodities – petrol and diesel had recently gone done yet it is not reflecting in public transport fares.
“Our checks from some energy institutions such as COPEC and the IES have revealed that the fuel prices will further decline in the coming days, hence our call,” a press release signed by the convenor of the Association, Afia Kwarteng Asamani had noted.
They believe this will ensure some fairness in the system.
They brought to bare their awareness of the fact that GPRTU and the GRTCC do not only take into account fuel prices to determine transport fares, but also spare parts, statutory fees such as permits, and vehicle tax, among others.
The Association emphasized in the release that the prevailing market prices of petrol and diesel is a major determinant of transport fares hence whenever there is an increment in the two commodities, the unions cry out to the government to allow them increase fares.
“It would interest you to note that, as an association, our members have had challenges in paying these high increases in transport fares since the GPRTU added more than 15% the last two moths,’’ the statement further reads.
The APG believes that the intervention of the Bank of Ghana has helped in contributing to this positive and drastic decline in petroleum pricing.
They are therefore calling on the transport unions to do the needful as soon as practicable to ensure that the passenger is not always made to bear the brunt of fuel price increment but also made to enjoy a relief whenever there is a reduction in prices.
By Gertrude Edem Amuzu || ghananewsonline.com.gh
