<\/p>\n
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) believes its members are in favour of the government reducing fuel prices, not an increment in transport fares.<\/p>\n
Explaining why it is hesitant to increase transport fares, the General Secretary of the GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, noted that \u201cwe don\u2019t benefit a lot from the fare increments.\u201d<\/p>\n
This comes on the back of an announcement by some driver unions that transport fares would be increased by 30 percent effective September 21.<\/p>\n
The GPRTU subsequently described the announcement as inappropriate.<\/p>\n
Mr. Abulbire said his union\u2019s assessment showed that an increment was not justified.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom May, we increased fares and the fuel margin was around 11.29. It moved to 13 and fuel moved to about 14.49. We never heard of any member of a union agitating for fare increments.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt moved from the 14.49 back to 13.20, and now it has moved back to 14.50. It hasn\u2019t made any change yet,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Mr. Abulbire, however, said his union, which has the largest membership of drivers, will do due diligence on the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we are to do a survey with the other components I just mentioned and if fuel lubricants have increased if spare parts have increased\u2026 then we have reason to submit a report and ask for a fare increase.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs it stands, if you go round with this your cameras to ask our drivers, they will prefer that we embark on a particular move to ask the government to reduce [fuel] prices than simply going to ask for fare increments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The government is set to engage the various driver unions in the country on Monday, September 19, 2022, over the proposed increase in transport fares.<\/p>\n