The coalition of transport operators will take a final decision on the percentage by which they will increase their fares on Monday, February 21, 2022.
This is according to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), a lead member of the coalition.
Following series of meetings, the government and the coalition continue to hold different positions on the percentage at which transport fares should be increased.
While the government insists on a maximum of 15% increase, the coalition wants a 30% increase.
With the last meeting ending inconclusively, some transport operators like the Committed Drivers Association have grown impatient and gone ahead to announce their decision to increase their fares by 30% without regard for the outcome of the meeting with government.
The GPRTU has since chastised the group for their announcement saying it was premature as they should have waited for the final outcome of the meeting on Monday.
“We are saying the 10% to 15% [proposal of the government] is not enough for us. We were expecting that all members of the negotiation will remain calm for us to complete that roundtable negotiation on Monday 21st February before we can issue any press statement or press release [on new fares],” said the General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire in an interview on Eyewitness News.
According to him, the coalition admits the delay in coming out with a concrete decision on the transport fares but expects all unions to remain calm until a final decision is taken.
He said the coalition is certain that there will be a transport fare hike after next week Monday’s meeting but the percentage by which it will increase is yet to be decided upon by both parties.
“I can say yes [fares will go up next week] because most of the drivers and operators have run out of patience after weeks. Our next line of action is to make sure that we increase the fare. So, for sure, after the Monday [meeting] all commuters should expect an increment in fares. But the percentage hasn’t been agreed yet,” he noted.