The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged the public to remain calm as the union works on resolving transport fare issues after announcing a reduction.
Transport fares were expected to go down by 15.3 per cent effective Monday, December 19, 2022.
The decision was taken after a series of negotiations between the GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council.
According to road transport operators, the reduction was to affect taxis, intra-city (trotro), intercity (long distance), and haulage.
Commercial transport operators were asked to comply with the new fares and post the same at their loading terminals.
However, some drivers, particularly intra-city drivers, have refused to comply with the 15.3 per cent cut.
The situation has created tension at some lorry stations as well as with intra-city drivers and their passengers.
Commenting on the issues, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abbas Ibrahim Moro, said the union would compel their drivers to adhere to the new fares.
“This is the first time we are practising reduction on lorry fare. So, at least, let’s give these drivers the benefit of the doubt. Some of them said they are not aware. Some of them are also saying they haven’t really calculated the 15.3 percent on their lorry fare. We believe in dialogue more than any other action. We are planning to talk to the drivers before any other action,” Mr Moro said on Starr News.
Prices of petroleum products have dropped significantly following the Institute for Energy Security (IES projection).
The projected decline in the pump price of petrol and diesel is on the back of a decrease in the international price of gasoline (petrol) and gasoil (diesel).
The recent fall has led to incessant calls by Ghanaians for commercial drivers to reduce their fares after increasing them by almost 40 per cent since the beginning of the year.