GPRTU to increase transport fares by 8% from Saturday, Sept. 26

The Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah said the decision was reached after a final meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday, September 22 to discuss the proposed adjustment in fares.

According to him, the Union initially pushed for a 30% increase, arguing that failing to adjust fares would negatively affect drivers and transport operators.

“We were pushing for 30% and not coming down. But then during the meeting, the Minister also came in that the President has given some directive and that hopefully we will have some more reduction on petroleum products,” the Deputy PRO said on TV3's Ghana Tonight, Tuesday, September 22.

He explained that although there were discussions about maintaining the existing fares, the Union insisted that some adjustment was necessary to sustain operations.

“Initially, they were even talking about us not going ahead to increase at all, but we were also saying that for us to go back not getting any increment for our drivers will be bad for our business,” he said.

Following discussions between the two sides, the GPRTU agreed to settle on an 8% increment.

“We jaw-jaw and at the close of the meeting, we all came up with an agreement that we will come up with 8% increment which will take effect on Saturday, September 26,” he said.

Samuel Amoah said the Union is currently working on the details of the new fares and will circulate the information to its members ahead of the implementation date.

“We have come back to work on the percentage and circulate all information that has to go to our members to make sure that by Saturday, every member of our Union will get this information for the increment to take place,” he added.