The Volta Regional Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has debunked action on the introduction of new transport fares and that should be ignored by the public.
According to the Union, the current economic conditions do not warrant any increase in transport fares and the public should disregard such moves.
Mr Awilo Attito, the Volta Regional GPRTU Public Relation Officer (PRO), in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, argued that drivers’ unions should embrace the recent decrease in fuel prices and maintain the normal transport fares until further notice.
“It has come to our attention that some group of drivers calling themselves Alliance of Drivers, Ghana are the group pushing for the transport fare increment, which is against our regulations,” he said.
He explained that information gathered by the Union indicated that some group of drivers at the southern sector of the Volta region have started the introduction of unauthorised and new fares and cautioned them to desist from such acts.
He said that the hierarchy of GPRTU upon meeting with Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister for Transport, ahead of the 2025 budget has shown hope and improvement for the transport industry and the public should ignore any transport fare increment from any group of drivers.
“Am very happy Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has also dismissed such claims that the Alliance of Drivers, Ghana are alleging that there is increase cost on spare parts and that is the reason they wanted to increase transport fares to about 20 per cent, which was to take effect on Monday, March 17.”
Mr Attito warned that any attempt to introduce new transport fares within the region without proper consultation and authorisation with stakeholders could lead to chaos in the transport sector and would not hesitate to take action to protect the interests of its members and the traveling public.
He urged passengers and other road users to insist and stick to the regular fares and ignore any new transport fare increments that would be introduced by any group of drivers apart from the GPRTU.
He said there was no taxes imposed on spare parts or import duties, and the price of spares part will remain same or decrease, which dismissed the Alliance of Drivers, Ghana allegations of increase increment of spare parts.
He said the action of the group was to peddle propaganda and falsehood, which should be treated as mischievous, and the public should report any drivers, who would defy the directives to the GPRTU for action.
The news of introduction of new transport fares by Alliance of Drivers, Ghana has been a contentious issue in the country with many commuters expressing concern about the potential impact on their pockets, while the GPRTU’s opposition to the new fares is likely to resonate with many Ghanaians, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Some drivers and commuters Keta-Aflao Road, the GNA engaged, lamented that transport sector is a critical component of country’s economy, providing employment for thousands of people and facilitating the movement of goods and services and disruption to the sector could have far-reaching consequences for the economy.
Some passengers appealed to the driving authorities to formulate and enforce proper rules and regulations that would control the sector.
GNA
