The General Secretary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, says transport operators are yet to approve the proposed 30% increase in transport fares, insisting that the statement circulating on social media is only a warning to government over rising fuel prices.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Ohene Yeboah explained that transport unions will first meet with stakeholders before taking any decision on a fare adjustment if government fails to address their concerns.
“We are working on the issue and will meet as transport operators to determine the way forward,” he said.
He stressed that the statement should not be interpreted as an immediate fare increment.
“It is not that we have approved a 30% increase. The statement is only to warn government that if nothing is done about fuel prices, we will meet with stakeholders before deciding on any increment,” he clarified.
Mr Ohene Yeboah identified weak enforcement of transport fare regulations as the biggest challenge facing the sector.
“Our problem is enforcement. Some drivers continue to flout the approved fares, but nothing is done about it,” he said.
He accused the Police of failing to enforce the law despite witnessing drivers charging unapproved fares.
“The Police stand by and watch drivers charge higher fares, yet they refuse to arrest them. They know what is happening, but they are not helping us,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the continued inaction by law enforcement has left transport operators frustrated.
“I am frustrated because it looks like the system is not working,” he said.
Mr Ohene Yeboah also renewed calls for government to provide dedicated transport terminals to help improve regulation within the sector.
“I have even suggested that government should provide us with dedicated terminals, but they are not ready to listen to us,” he stated.
According to him, increasing transport fares without first addressing illegal fare charging would only worsen the situation.
“If we don’t resolve this problem first, increasing fares will make matters worse because some drivers will charge even more than the approved fares. We must fix the enforcement challenge before thinking about any increment,” he stressed.
He said the transport unions intend to hold a closed-door meeting with the relevant authorities to discuss stronger enforcement measures.
“The way forward is to meet with the authorities and ensure that those charging more than the approved fares are arrested,” he added.
His comments come after a statement circulated by the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana and the GPRTU of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), announcing a proposed 30% nationwide transport fare increase.
The statement attributed the proposed increase to rising fuel prices and higher operational costs, including spare parts, lubricants, insurance and vehicle maintenance, and gave government a three-day ultimatum to reduce fuel prices or face the implementation of the proposed fare adjustment.
However, Mr Ohene Yeboah maintained that no 30% fare increase has been approved, urging the public to disregard claims that the adjustment has already taken effect.
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