The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is appealing to Ghanaians to understand why they had to raise transportation fares by 20%. They are urging the public to accept the change with open minds.

That, however, is not the case. People are enraged, primarily because they believe the price difference between the old and new fares is too large, and it is already affecting their wallets.

Mr. Godfred Abulbire, the Union's General Secretary, noted that the increase in transportation costs is intended to enable Union members shoulder the expense of maintenance and service provision while mitigating the consequences of rising fuel prices.

Mr Abulbire suggested that the prices could have been higher, but leadership decided not to factor in the surge in prices of spare parts and charges paid to Insurance companies.

According to him, the initial rate recommended by leadership was 30%. However, in response to member complaints across the country, a 20% rise in fares was agreed upon.

“Most of our members from the regions, drew our attention to the fact that we should let them charge 20 per cent for the fact that most of the citizens are not (in the best position). Leadership understood that and readdressed them to increase by 20 per cent. We are limiting our increment based on fuel. Our fares being increased by 20 per cent is fair,” he said.

The General Secretary went on to say that, because of the great economic difficulty, there is little that can be done to reverse the increase in transportation fares.

Mr Abulbire, on the other hand, expressed regret to the people for the little notice given, to accept the adjustment. He also pleaded with Ghanaians to be patient with the Union's decision to protect public transportation providers.

“It is the short notice that we have given to our customers that might be worrying. We apologize to them and ask them to bear with us.”

The GPRTU's defence comes after the Union was chastised for its latest edict. Until Monday, May 9th, numerous transportation operators continued to use the previous fares.

Some commuters in Accra who spoke with Citi Newsroom expressed discontent with the fact that they had to adjust their daily budget. They argue that the increased transportation costs will exacerbate their already strained finances.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has also questioned the GPRTU's ability to independently review transportation fares. According to GRTCC, no single union has the authority to establish the percentage increase in rates.

“We wish to state that, transport fares have always been negotiated for and on behalf of all operators by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, no single union or group has the capacity to determine the quantum of increase except the two bodies mentioned above,” the Council noted in a press statement.

In light of this,  the Council has urged the public to disregard the 20% fare increase.

Source: backend.theindependentghana.comÂ