Trotro and Taxi drivers at Labadi in Accra have raised concerns about the declining rate of their business.
According to the drivers, who are members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union of Trade Union Congress [GPRTU of TUC], the crisis can be attributed to two major factors: competition from online transport services and fuel prices.
Speaking to the administrative secretary of the branch, Mr. Stephen Neeboye, he revealed that the competition from online transport services is one of the biggest threats to their business.
He acknowledged that it is understandable for customers to shift to online transportation services since the drivers pick them up from the comfort of their homes. However, he also pointed out that it has caused a lot of losses for them.
The general secretary, Mr. Sampson Otoo, also added that their transport fares would have been lower if fuel prices were not constantly increasing.
He mentioned that the ever-increasing fuel prices coupled with expensive vehicle spare parts have made it impossible for them to lower their prices and compete favorably with online transport services.
One of the taxi drivers at the station, Daniel Bortieh, expressed his frustration with the situation, “Now that there is Uber, the business is not moving well at all. It has got to the point where a customer leaves our cars after a little delay and calls for a ride. We would like to reduce our fares, but the fuel prices will not allow us to do so. If you reduce your prices, you run at a loss”.
He also urged the government to reduce fuel prices to enable them to bring down their prices to beat the competition posed by online transport services.
The Trotro and Taxi drivers at the La G.P.R.T.U. of T.U.C. are hoping that the government will intervene to help salvage their dwindling businesses.
