Video: There’s No Justification To Increase Fares – Deputy Transport Minister Cautions Driver Unions

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Hassan Tampuli, has stated that there is no justification for the increase in lorry fares.

The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana has declared a 15 percent rise in transport fares, set to take effect on Monday, July 22, 2024.

The association cites the escalating cost of fuel as the primary reason for this fare increase, with some oil marketing companies now retailing products at prices surpassing GH₵15.

Furthermore, the rising prices of essential items, such as spare parts vital for the transport business, have also contributed to this decision.

But Tampuli in a conversation with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Friday pointed out that the current petroleum prices do not warrant an increase in lorry fares.

“There hasn’t been any need for any adjustments in lorry fares currently…There is no justification for any attempt to increase transport fares as of today. If you recall sometime back price of petroleum products had gone back to about 23 before. Now lorry fares were adjusted accordingly. As of now, we have petroleum products going for about 14, 15 so there is no justification.”

“We are currently buying petroleum products for about 8 or 9 less than it had ever gone up to. So I am not too sure whether anybody can have any justification as to why we should have any [increment],” he stated.

 

Watch the video below

Credit: Citi 97.3 FM

 

 

 

GPRTU Reactions

In the meantime, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has advised Ghanaians to ignore the 15% increase in transport fares announced by the Transport Operators Association.

While GPRTU recognizes the impact of rising petroleum product prices on transportation costs, it insists that fare increases can only be implemented following proper stakeholder engagement, which has not yet taken place.

Consequently, GPRTU has instructed commercial transport operators to comply with the existing fares.

 

Suspension of 15% Transport Fare Hike

Meanwhile, on Monday, July 22, 2024, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana suspended a planned 15% increase in transport fares, set to take effect on Monday, July 22, 2024.

In an interview with Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, David Agboado, explained that the timing of the fare increase would exacerbate the plight of Ghanaians hence the suspension.

“We the transport operators have sat together and do our own thing. We have come to the understanding that things have been increased…fuel, spare parts and everything is up but this is not the time that we should increase the transport fare that is why we have come together to say we won’t increase it again.

“If you ask me, transport fares will not be going up because we the transporters have understood ourselves,” he stated.

Mr Agboado urged commercial drivers to maintain current fares until a more suitable time for an increase.

“What I will tell my fellow drivers is that they should exercise patience. It is we that increased. They have appointed us to do that and we are doing that in their interest. This one too is in their interest and we are doing it so they should exercise patience. They shouldn’t get angry. The right time will come,” he said.

 

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