The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in the Upper West Region has urged passengers to report drivers who attempted to charge fares above the newly approved rates.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Senior Industrial Officer of the GPRTU in the region, Alhaji Nuhu Mahama, appealed to commercial drivers, vehicle operators and passengers to remain calm in the face of the eight per cent increase in transport fares.
The increment has begun to put pressure on commuters in the region, with passengers having to pay more amid concerns over declining passenger numbers and rising operational costs for commercial drivers.
The GPRTU in the region has, however, appealed to stakeholders to remain calm, saying the adjustment was accepted in the interest of minimising the burden on the travelling public.
Alhaji Mahama said the union had long been calling for a fare adjustment due to rising operational costs.
He said the government had assured the union that measures would be taken to reduce fuel prices, which could ease the pressure on transport operators and passengers.
“We have asked them to calm down.
The government is prepared to make moves that will ease the burden on the travelling public,” he said.
Alhaji Mahama said the union was mindful that fare increases immediately affected passengers, particularly those travelling long distances and had therefore accepted the eight per cent adjustment, while awaiting the government's intervention on fuel prices.
A driver on the Wa-Techiman route, Mohammed Awal, said the fare had increased from GH¢130 to GH¢140.
He said the increase had already resulted in a noticeable decline in passenger turnout at the Wa main station.
“We will not be able to easily absorb the eight per cent increment, but we pray the government will do something about it so that this can go back to normal again,” he said.
Another driver, Gofred Dasaah, who operates on the Wa-Kintampo route, said the new fares were affecting business.
He said the fare from Wa to Kintampo had increased from GH¢150 to GH¢170, citing the case of a passenger who arrived at the station without having budgeted for the additional cost.
Although the passenger was initially confused, he said she eventually had to pay the new fare.
Mr Dasaah urged the government to take urgent steps to reduce fuel prices, warning that declining passenger numbers could affect the livelihoods of drivers and their families.
Passengers
A passenger, Humu Issah, said she went to the station to travel from Wa to Jirapa but was informed that the fare had increased from GH¢50 to GH¢55.
She said the additional cost was not in her budget but she had no option but to pay because she needed to reach her destination.
“The government has to do something about it. Otherwise, we will not be able to reach our destinations,” she said.
