The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has warned that transport fares could increase by 30% if the government fails to address rising fuel prices, saying the growing cost of fuel is placing unbearable pressure on commercial drivers.
The union says it has already given the government a three-day ultimatum to intervene, but the deadline expired last Saturday without any response.
Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, explained that while the union is also concerned about the high cost of spare parts, lubricants and taxes, the continuous increase in fuel prices has become the biggest challenge facing transport operators.
“We proposed last week that government should do something about petroleum products. But government promised fuel prices would come down, and that is not what we are seeing,” he said.
Mr Amoah disclosed that the union’s leadership is now seeking a meeting with the Ministry of Transport to understand why no action has been taken.
“Last week we gave government a three-day ultimatum. The period we gave the government ended last Saturday. As I speak, we have not heard anything from them. The leadership is now moving to meet the Transport Ministry to find out what the problem is. If nothing changes, we cannot do anything other than implement a 30% increase in transport fares,” he warned.
He noted that many commercial drivers are now spending almost all their daily earnings on fuel, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.
The GPRTU says it hopes an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Transport will produce a solution and help avert the planned 30% increase in transport fares.
