The Ghana Road Transport Coordinated Council (GRTCC) says the shortage of coins in circulation is contributing to some transport fares being rounded up following the approved 8% increase.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, September 28, the Council’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, explained that rounding becomes necessary when passengers are unable to pay the exact fare due to the limited availability of coins.
“Yes, we are having that because of the use of coins. You know, we don’t have a lot of coins in the system, so making the exact change becomes a bit of a challenge. So, all we do is look at the ledger and, where coins are required, we have to round it to the average.
“That is the issue we are having. But quite frankly, I’m not saying anybody will want to do anything different from what is directed,” he said.
His comments follow complaints from some passengers that drivers are charging more than the approved 8% increase, with some fares being rounded up at various transport terminals.
For example, passengers travelling on a route where the previous fare was GH¢50 have reported paying GH¢55 instead of GH¢54, which would be the exact fare after an 8% increase.
Mr Yeboah said the Council is aware of the concerns and has deployed officers to monitor fares at various terminals.
“We have our officers on the ground. Almost all the terminals have their officers. Whatever happens at the terminal, we are able to know exactly where it’s happening.”
He explained that transport operators have been given a fare template showing the old and new fares to guide them in implementing the adjustment.
According to him, the monitoring system will help the Council identify and address cases where operators charge fares beyond the approved rates.
The 8% fare increase took effect last Saturday following engagements between transport operators and the Ministry of Transport.
Transport operators have attributed the adjustment to rising fuel prices, spare parts costs and other operational expenses.
