The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has refused to approve proposed increases in transport fares by some transport unions until the price of fuel surpasses GH¢23 per liter. This decision comes in response to recent fare hike announcements by two transport unions, attributing the surge in petroleum product prices.
In an interview with Francis Abban on the Morning Starr, GRTCC’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, cited the unions’ previous defiance of fare reduction directives despite fuel price drops as a reason for the refusal.
He emphasized that fare approvals are contingent upon fuel price benchmarks, highlighting the need for discussions when fuel prices exceed or decline by 10% from previous adjustments. Ohene Yeboah argued that recent fuel price increases do not impact operational costs but rather erode unjustified profit margins.
“The last time it came down to GH¢15, which was more than 25% decrease, we called on our members to reduce fares by 10% to accommodate the drop in fuel price so the passenger can also have some relief. We tried every means possible, but our driver didn’t comply.”
“So what we are seeing is not an increase in the operational fees but rather an erosion of their illegal gain,” he emphasized
“So what we see, until the fuel gets to GH¢23 and above, per the standing regulations and protocols, we don’t have to increase transport fares,” Emmanuel Ohene insisted.
Meanwhile, the GRTCC has thrown its support behind the Transport Ministry’s call for the arrest of drivers who increase their fares.
Source: Energy Ghana