Public transport operators have once again defied the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) directive to increase fares by 19 percent to cushion themselves from the high cost of fuel products.
Commuters are now bearing the brunt of the incessant rise in the prices of fuel products as a whopping 40 percent increment, at least, has been slapped on fares, the Independent Ghana can confirm.
Some bus terminals that are observing this gross misconduct include Lapaz bus terminal and Circle bus terminal.
Before the GPRTU’s 19 percent increment, a trip from Lapaz to Mile 7 cost GH3.60. Following the 19 percent implementation on October 29, 2022, the fare rose to GH4.50.
On November 1, the fare was adjusted again and a trip which cost GH4.50 is now GH4.95, nearly GH5, the amount transport operators are currently demanding.
A trip from Lapaz to Mile has increased by GH1.40, representing a 40 percent increment.
Again, a trip from Taifa to Mile 7 used to go for GH3, but after a 19 percent increment was implemented, the fare increased to GH3.80, instead of GH3.60, to reflect an actual 19 per cent increment.
On November 3, transport operators charged GH5 for a trip from Taifa to Mile 7, representing a 67% increase.
A critical look at the Circle bus terminal, shows that transport fares have also increased by 40 percent as observed at the aforementioned.
Prior to the GPRTU’s directive, moving from Pigfarm to Circle cost GH3.50. With a 19 per cent implementation, the trip should cost GH4.20, however, public transport operators are currently charging GH5.
Commuters moving to Dome from Madina used to pay GHS5.50 before GPRTU announced an increase in transport fares. Transport operators now charged GHS7 for the same trip, violating the 19 percent increment directive.
At a 19 percent rate, a trip from Madina to Dome should cost GH6.50. Currently, commuters are being charged GHS8.50, representing a whopping 55 percent increase.
It has been observed that the new fare has been pinned on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union.
This debunks comments by the GPRTU that public transport operators are implementing the new agreed fares.
Ghanaians who have fallen victim to this exploitation have registered their displeasure on social media, and have called on the GPRTU to intervene.
Prior to the recent increase in transport fares, the GPRTU, owing to the incessant rise in price of fuel products, demanded a 40 percent increment from the government, but after engagements, the Union and the Transport Ministry settled on a 19 percent increment.
Currently, a litre of petrol is going for about GHS18, and that for diesel, close to GHS24.
Source: The Independent Ghana