The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says it is still considering an increase in transport fares despite the government’s decision to extend its GH¢2 per litre diesel intervention to the end of September.
The union says the extension may reduce the percentage increase being considered, but it is unlikely to completely eliminate the possibility of higher fares.
Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on September 1, the GPRTU’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, said the union had initially planned to increase transport fares by 30% during the first week of August due to rising fuel prices.
However, the planned increment was put on hold after the government stepped in to absorb GH¢2 from the price of diesel.
Mr Amoah welcomed the decision to extend the intervention but said the GPRTU would still assess prevailing fuel prices before taking a final decision on fares.
“We have in mind increasing transport fares. The first week of August, we intended coming up with a 30% increase in transport fares, and that was when the President also came in by taking GH¢2 off diesel prices.
“We appreciate what the government has done by extending the GH¢2 intervention to the end of September. At least, it can reduce the percentage that we may want to increase.
“Had it not been this intervention, we would have been buying diesel at around GH¢20. We will put it into consideration, but that will not stop us from increasing transport fares based on where fuel prices are now.”
He said the union is yet to decide on the actual percentage by which fares could be increased.
According to him, the initial proposal for a 30% increase was based on fuel prices at the time, but changing market conditions could lead to a different figure.
“As I am speaking to you, we have not decided on the actual percentage that we will use for now. Hopefully, by Wednesday, we will get to know and communicate to the public,” he said.
Mr Amoah explained that the government, through the Ministry of Transport, appealed to transport operators in August to maintain existing fares, assuring them that fuel prices would fall in subsequent pricing windows.
However, he said the anticipated reductions did not materialise, with transport operators instead facing further increases in fuel prices during the current September pricing window.
The GPRTU is expected to announce its final decision on a possible transport fare adjustment after further consultations with its members.
