The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has cautioned its members to desist from increasing transport fares.
The GPRTU says such action will constitute an illegality and has cautioned that drivers who increase fares would be dealt with.
This follows a directive from another transport union, the National Association of Concerned Drivers, asking its members to increase fares, effective 22 February.
Some driver associations had threatened to increase their fares.
For instance, the National Association of Concerned Drivers with over 150,000 members has projected a 10% increment in transport fares by next week as members complain about hikes in fuel prices and spare parts.
But the GPRTU has called on its members to a ceasefire on the proposed increase in transport fares and not join the other associations.
Speaking to Asaase Business, Godfred Abulbire Adogma, general secretary of the GPRTU said, “It is not an authorised 10% increase and what we heard was that this proposed increment is coming from the Association of Concerned Drivers. They are smaller splinter groups. GPRTU has about 90% of the private sector transport in Ghana and we have due process in adjusting our lorry fares.
“And our procedure usually begins with a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Transport where go and negotiate accordingly and then approved before we inform our members. GPRTU is now cautioning our drivers all round that if anybody implements this 10% increase in fares that driver will be sanctioned.”
On 11 July 2020, transport fares were increased by 15% following the imposition of restrictions on social distancing and the need for commercial transport (trotro) drivers to reduce the number of passengers.
This 15% increment was later slashed to 10% after the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.
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