The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says it will not accept a transport fare increase of less than 25% as negotiations with the government enter their final stage.
The union’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, said the GPRTU rejected a proposal from the Ministry of Transport for a fare adjustment of between 10% and 15% during their last meeting.
“Our expectation is strong on the 30% increment. Our last meeting that we had last Friday, we made the ministry understand that we are not looking at anything less than 25%,” he said in an interview with JoyNews.
Mr Amoah said the union’s position was informed by rising operational costs, including fuel, spare parts, insurance premiums, DVLA charges, lubricants and engine oil.
He cited increases in insurance premiums for commercial vehicles, saying operators of 15-seater vehicles now pay GH¢994 annually, up from GH¢837, while premiums for 23-seater Sprinter buses have risen from GH¢930 to GH¢1,194.
Taxi operators, he added, now pay about GH¢744 for insurance compared with the previous GH¢701.
Mr Amoah also pointed to increases in DVLA charges introduced in April and said spare parts commonly used by commercial operators remained expensive despite claims of price reductions by some suppliers.
He said the GPRTU had presented its concerns to the Ministry of Transport and was hopeful that the final meeting would produce an agreement acceptable to both sides.
“We believe today hopefully a final decision will be taken, because our drivers are waiting to hear something from the leadership,” he said.
“I strongly believe that by the close of today, it will be a win-win situation, and we will not step back without getting any percentage for our drivers.”
The GPRTU’s position comes as the government and transport operators negotiate a new fare adjustment, with the ministry previously proposing an increase of between 10% and 15%.
