Western Regional Secretariat of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has dismissed reports suggesting that public transport fares will increase by 20 percent.
The Union has described the announcement as not sanctioned by the appropriate authorities.
Speaking in an interview with 3news on June 4, the Western Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, Joseph Simmons Cudjoe, stated that the National Secretariat had not held any discussions with the Ministry of Transport regarding a fare adjustment and therefore could not have approved any increase.
According to him, the reported fare hike did not follow the established procedures for reviewing transport fares, which require consultations and agreement between transport operators and relevant government authorities.
The Western Regional Chairman urged commuters and the general public to disregard the reports, emphasizing that the currently approved fares remain in force.
“The Western Regional Secretariat wishes to condemn this decision in no uncertain terms and requests the general public to disregard the publication. Any fare increment will only take effect when we receive official communication from the National Secretariat,” he stressed.
He further directed drivers, vehicle owners, and loading point managers across the region to continue charging existing fares until an official review is concluded and communicated through the proper channels.
The Regional Chairman also advised passengers to report any driver who attempts to charge unapproved fares to station managers for the necessary action to be taken.
Joseph Simmons Cudjoe assured both passengers and transport operators that any future fare adjustment would be announced only after consultations with the relevant authorities and through the appropriate channels.
He reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to protecting the interests of both transport operators and commuters while ensuring fairness and transparency in the determination of transport fares.
By: Portia Cudjoe
