GPRTU will not hesitate to reduce transport fares if necessary – GPRTU
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has stated that the recent decrease in fuel prices does not warrant any reduction in transport fares.
The union’s stance follows calls from industry experts and energy think tanks for transport operators to pass on savings from lower pump prices to passengers.
Despite lower fuel prices at the pumps, the union and some commercial drivers claim that there are high costs of essential operational inputs, including vehicle maintenance, spare parts, tyres, and lubricants, which limit any fare reduction due to the recent lower fuel prices.
The Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abass Imoro, emphasized that the union will reduce transport fares once it establishes favourable cost conditions and there is sufficient evidence of savings across key cost components.
The last 15% transport fare reduction was implemented voluntarily, as the union saw the need to support the government’s efforts to alleviate the economic burden on citizens.
“Now there has been another reduction [in fuel prices]. All we are saying is if the need arises that we should decrease lorry fare further, we will do that without hesitating. We are talking about spare parts which have never been reduced.
“You see, these are some of the things. As we talk now, I am just coming from services. I went and bought oil. Last year, the oil S5 W30, which I have been buying at GH¢600 for 5 liters, is the same GH¢600.
“We are surprised the dollar has been decreased and some of these things that we thought it is because of the dollar, no, it is not because of the dollar. The prices are still the same as it was,” Abass Imoro said in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.
