The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced that transport fares will be reduced if fuel prices fall to roughly GH¢12 per litre.
In a recent interview, Deputy Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah of GPRTU detailed the various factors that affect fare adjustments and explained why fares have not yet been reduced despite a modest decline in fuel costs.
“Before December, we were already considering increasing transport fares due to the high cost of spare parts, rising fuel prices, expensive lubricants, insurance, and DVLA taxes,” Amoah revealed. “But we decided to hold on because we had been promised that things would get better.”
Although fuel prices have dipped slightly, Amoah emphasized that the change is not enough to justify an immediate fare cut. “Yes, we have seen the fuel price coming down a little bit, but it has not gotten to the level where it will call for a reduction in transport fares,” he said.
Amoah went on to note that fare adjustments depend on a range of factors, not solely fuel prices. “We normally have a 10% threshold that we check on. We assess where the fuel price was and where it has gotten to, but we also consider other components like spare parts, lubricants, and various taxes,” he noted. “When deciding to either increase or reduce fares, our team goes to the market to assess these factors before making recommendations.”
Reflecting on the previous fare hike, he recalled the fuel price at that time: “If we check the previous time we increased transport fares, fuel prices were around GHC¢12 per litre, if I’m not mistaken. Now, diesel is about GHC¢15.49, and petrol is around GHC¢14.99,” he pointed out. “We are praying that fuel prices drop to at least GHC¢12 per litre. If that happens, we will reassess the situation.”
However, he warned that even a decline in fuel prices might not be sufficient due to the current high costs of spare parts. “Looking at where spare parts prices are now, it will be difficult for us to reduce transport fares immediately,” he cautioned.
Again, the Alliance of Drivers Ghana also announced a 20 percent fare hike, which was to take effect Monday, March 17. The increase comes as drivers complain of fuel expenses, higher engine oil prices, and the rising cost of vehicle spare parts. GPRTU however asked commuters not to pay.
