The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has dismissed reports claiming it has approved a 30% increase in transport fares, describing the information as false.
Deputy General Secretary of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said the union has not sanctioned any nationwide fare adjustment despite reports that some commercial drivers have started charging higher fares.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Amoah explained that while the union is aware of isolated cases of unauthorised fare hikes, no agreement has been reached to increase transport fares by 30 percent.
“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.
According to him, the union first became aware of the alleged fare increases in Madina, where some drivers had begun charging passengers higher fares without approval.
He said the GPRTU immediately intervened 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 added.
Mr. Amoah’s comments come after a statement circulated on social media, purportedly issued by the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, and the GPRTU of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), announcing a nationwide 30% increase in transport fares.
The statement cited rising fuel prices and increasing operational costs, including the cost of spare parts, lubricants, insurance, and vehicle maintenance, as reasons for the proposed increment.
It also gave the government a three-day ultimatum to reduce fuel prices, warning that the fare increase would take effect if no action was taken.
However, the GPRTU says it has not endorsed the announcement and has urged the public to disregard claims that it has approved any fare increase.
Mr. Amoah noted that although transport operators continue to face increasing operational costs, any future review of transport fares would only be made after consultations with the Ministry of Transport and other relevant stakeholders.
“We understand the concerns of drivers, but no 30% fare increase has been approved by the GPRTU,” he stressed.
