By The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to monitor commercial drivers who are charging new transport fares that exceed the existing ones. This directive aims to prevent commuters from facing undue financial burden due to unauthorized fare increases.
In a statement released in Accra on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Ministry emphasized that negotiations for new public transport fares are ongoing with Road Transport Operators. These discussions are in response to the recent rise in fuel prices and other operational costs affecting the transport sector.
The Ministry urged commercial drivers to adhere to the existing public transport fares set by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC). It warned that any driver found violating this directive would face legal consequences.
“The Ministry is urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC”, the statement in part read.
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) in a joint statement issued in Accra urged commuters not to pay any additional transport fares outside the existing fares.
They described the alleged increase in transport fares by some commercial transport drivers as illegal and noted that they were still in talks with the Ministry of Transport over new charges.
“We are currently engaging stakeholders to consider the various cost components and agree on the way forward. As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday 10th April, 2024, to present our demands. Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed”, the statement in part read.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, two transport operating groups, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana, jointly announced a 15% increase in transport fares effective Saturday, April 13, 2024.
They cited the recent increment in fuel prices and the government’s seeming indifference regarding any reduction in the price of petrol as well as the cost of vehicle spare parts and lubricants to buttress their decision.
