We’ll not reduce transport fares – GPRTU

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union(GPRTU) has rejected calls to reduce transport fares following the recent reduction in fuel prices.

Fuel prices have been reduced at the various pumps; currently, a litre of petrol is sold at around Gh¢15.41 while diesel is sold at around Gh¢18.86 per litre.

At the time of the last increment in transport fares, diesel was about Gh¢24 per litre while petrol was sold for Gh¢ 19.

With the significant cut in fuel prices, the Association of Passengers in Ghana (APG) called on the mother association of driver unions – the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to immediately review transport fares by adjusting it downwards to reflect the prevailing market prices of petrol and diesel.

According to them, this will bring some relief to Ghanaian passengers.

“Our checks from some energy institutions such as COPEC and the IES have revealed that the fuel prices will further decline in the coming days, hence our call,” a press statement signed by the convener of the Association, Afia Kwarteng Asamani, read.

But, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abass Moro, said there would be a reduction in transport fares only if fuel prices stabilise.

He said the recent “small percentage” in reduction of fuel prices should not attract a reduction in transport fares for now because prices of vehicle spare parts keep increasing.

Abass Moro stated that the GPRTU would only consider reducing transport fares if a litre of fuel is sold at GHC10.00.

“If any member of the public is expecting a reduction in transport fares following the recent decline in fuel prices, that person should forget it for now.

“The public should rather appeal to the government to reduce fuel prices to GHC10.00 per litre, which will at least be reasonable. When that is done, there will be some reduction in transport fares,” he said on Kasapa FM.

However, he indicated that should there be any increment in fuel prices, the transport union will increase transport fares again.