The Deputy Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Samuel Amoah, has attributed some recent transport fare increases to drivers who operate outside recognised transport unions.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr Amoah said some drivers had increased fares due to rising operational costs, including fuel prices and the cost of spare parts.
He explained that the union had earlier engaged the Ministry of Transport over concerns about increasing costs but was advised to wait, as fuel prices were expected to reduce.
“We wrote a letter to the Transport Ministry for explanation and clarification, but they asked us to take it easy because fuel prices would come down, and indeed, it reduced,” he said.
Mr Amoah said the union subsequently advised its members not to increase fares because there had been no agreement to do so.
“After that, we spoke to our people not to increase fares because we had not reached any consensus,” he added.
He, however, acknowledged that some drivers had complained about poor road conditions and the impact of bad roads on their vehicles, which they use as a reason to charge higher fares.
“Some of our members complain about the nature of the roads they use and the effect on their vehicles, but we believe that should not be a reason to increase fares, especially when we have not agreed on any increment,” he said.
Mr Amoah stressed that Ghana’s transport sector is regulated by laws that require commercial transport operators to belong to recognised transport unions.
“Before you become a commercial transport operator, you must belong to a recognised transport union,” he stated.
According to him, the issue of unauthorised fare increases is largely caused by floating drivers who are not affiliated with any recognised union.
He explained that some individuals take advantage of situations where passengers are stranded to increase fares for their own benefit.
“Sometimes, some drivers see that passengers are stranded and increase fares for them to pay, and later they take their share,” he said.
Mr Amoah said the GPRTU has raised concerns with the police and called for stricter enforcement to ensure that all commercial drivers become part of recognised transport bodies.
He added that the union had encouraged unaffiliated drivers to form or join recognised transport groups so they could have representatives during discussions on transport policies and fare adjustments.
“When this happens, even some drivers who belong to transport unions feel cheated and decide to join those increasing fares because they think they are not being arrested,” he explained.
Mr Amoah urged the police to ensure that all commercial drivers in the country belong to recognised transport unions, warning that failure to do so would allow the problem of unauthorised fare increases to persist.
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