Transport fares increased by 30% effective September 21
The Private Transport Operators Association of Ghana announces a 30 per cent upward adjustment in transport fares effective 21 September 2022.
According to the Union, this decision was taken in consultation with their mother body, the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“In consultation with our mother body, the GPRTU OF TUC, we wish to announce to the general public that there will be a 30 per cent increment on fares starting Tuesday, 21st September 2022.”
A statement issued in Accra by the Union on Wednesday, 14 September 2022, the transport operators said the increment was due to the high prices of fuel, spare parts and general cost of living in the country.
“Due to the increment in fuel products, spare parts, and the poor management of the economy of the government, we are unable to make enough money to cater for our family and pay off our loans.”
“Electricity tariffs, water tariffs, prices of spare parts, prices of food and Pure water prices have all increased; hence we have no option than to also increase our fares,” the statement added.
The transport operators urged the public to cooperate with them while cautioning their members to desist from charges beyond the stipulated fares.
Transport fare increments
In May 2022, transportation fares went up by 20% when petrol and diesel were selling at a national average of GH¢9.41 and GH¢11.12, respectively.
Currently, diesel has crossed GH¢14 per litre while petrol sells for over GH¢11 per litre at the pumps. Some filling stations in July recorded some marginal price drops.
However, the Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, was optimistic that fuel prices would drop.
”We have enough fuel in the country to meet the demands. There should be no concern regarding the supply of diesel, especially.”
After a rampant increase in the price of fuel at the pumps, consumers seemed pleased with the drop in prices at some fuel stations and were hopeful of further reductions in the following months.
This came as some Oil Marketing Companies across the country reduced their prices by up to 60 pesewas per litre.
At the beginning of this year, a litre of diesel which sold at GH¢6.70, now goes for over GH¢14, with many fearing that the worst is yet to come, given the deteriorating economic situation in the country and happenings on the international stage.
While the war in Eastern Europe might have impacted prices across the world, with Ghana not being an exception, most industry watchers hold the view that the depreciation of the cedi – which has lost over 30 per cent of its value this year – is a much bigger problem.