By Grace Zigah
The leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has formally initiated moves for a review of public transport fares, informing commuters and transport operators that a request has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport for consideration. The review is occasioned by the recent fuel increases and rising cost of spare parts.
In a joint press release, the two major road transport bodies said the request was made in accordance with the Administrative Instrument governing the review of public transport fares, stressing that the process is part of the established consultative framework for determining and adjusting fares for commercial road transport services.
The announcement comes at a time when transport operators are expected to engage government over the various cost components associated with running commercial vehicles. According to the GPRTU and GRTCC, the fare review process takes into account the different inputs that affect the operations of commercial road transport services.
The unions, however, did not announce any new fares in the statement. Instead, they indicated that discussions with the Ministry of Transport would soon commence and that the outcome of those engagements would be communicated to the public after the process has been completed.
The clarification is significant as any unilateral adjustment of transport fares before the conclusion of the consultative process could create confusion for commuters and disputes between passengers and commercial drivers. The two transport organisations therefore appealed to drivers, station masters and transport owners to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the discussions.
The GPRTU and GRTCC also urged members of the public to exercise patience, emphasising that the fare review remains at the request and consultation stage.
The move places the Ministry of Transport at the centre of the next stage of the process, with the eventual outcome expected to determine whether existing public transport fares will be adjusted and, if so, the level of any approved increase.
The statement was signed by Godfred Abulbire, General Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU of TUC, Ghana), and Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, General Secretary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).
