Transport operators, government meet today over proposed 30% fare hike

Transport operators are meeting with the Ministry of Transport today, Tuesday, July 28, to discuss a proposed30 per cent increase in transport fares.

The proposed fare adjustment follows concerns by transport operators over rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of vehicle spare parts.

The transport unions are expected to present their concerns during the meeting and engage the government on possible measures to address the challenges affecting the sector.

Samuel Amoah, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), said the unions would table their proposed fare increase if no immediate measures are agreed to address the rising cost of petroleum products.

“If they believe there is nothing they can do about the high cost of petroleum products, we will lay our proposed percentage on the table for negotiation. Whatever agreement we reach, we will communicate to our members,” he told Citi FM.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has urged the government to restore the fuel intervention programme, noting that the previous measure reduced diesel prices byGH¢2 per litreand petrol prices byGH¢2.09 per litrewhen fuel prices rose during the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict.

COPEC has warned that with diesel prices nearingGH¢18 per litreagain, further increases could deepen the financial burden on transport operators and commuters.

Source: classfmonline.com