The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has dismissed reports suggesting that it has sanctioned a 30% increase in transport fares, describing the claims as false.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM, the union’s Deputy Secretary, Samuel Amoah, clarified that the GPRTU has not taken any decision to implement a nationwide fare adjustment.
According to him, although the union has received reports that some commercial drivers are charging passengers higher fares, those actions have not been authorised by the GPRTU.
“We have not agreed that transport fares should be increased by 30%. You may hear concerns that some people are charging higher fares, but that is not something we have approved,” he said.
Mr Amoah explained that the union became aware of isolated instances of fare hikes, particularly in the Madina area, and moved quickly to address the situation.
“It was in Madina that we heard some drivers were charging higher fares, and we took drastic action. It is not something we have agreed to implement,” he stated.
His comments follow the circulation of a statement on social media, allegedly issued by the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, and the GPRTU under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), announcing a 30% nationwide increase in transport fares.
The statement claimed the proposed adjustment was necessitated by rising fuel prices and increasing operational expenses, including the cost of spare parts, lubricants, insurance and vehicle maintenance.
It also reportedly gave the government a three-day ultimatum to reduce fuel prices, warning that transport operators would implement the 30% fare increase on all routes if no action was taken.
However, Mr Amoah insisted that the GPRTU had not endorsed the announcement and urged the public to disregard the reports.
He added that the union continues to engage the Ministry of Transport whenever concerns are raised by operators in an effort to address the challenges confronting the transport sector.
While acknowledging that transport operators are facing increasing operating costs, Mr Amoah stressed that any future review of transport fares would only be implemented after consultations with the appropriate stakeholders and in line with the established fare adjustment process.
“We understand the concerns of drivers, but no 30% fare increase has been approved by the GPRTU,” he emphasised.
