Transport fare hike talks are expected to take place today, Tuesday, July 28, as transport unions meet with the Ministry of Transport. The meeting will focus on a proposed 30% increase in fares due to rising fuel prices and the high cost of vehicle spare parts.
The unions say transport operators are struggling with rising operating costs. They believe higher fares are needed to keep their businesses running.
Speaking to Citi News, GPRTU Deputy Public Relations Officer Samuel Amoah said the meeting’s outcome will determine the union’s next steps. He added that the unions are ready to negotiate with the government.
According to him, the unions expect the government to address rising petroleum prices. If no action is taken, they will push for higher transport fares.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has called on the government to reinstate the fuel price intervention introduced during the peak of the Middle East crisis, arguing that the measure previously helped shield consumers from steep increases in petroleum prices.
Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, said the temporary subsidy significantly lowered fuel prices and eased the financial burden on transport operators, businesses, and motorists.
He recalled that when diesel prices climbed close to GH¢18 per litre, the Chamber appealed to the government to intervene, resulting in a reduction of GH¢2 per litre on diesel and GH¢2.09 per litre on petrol.
The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to determine whether transport fares will be adjusted in the coming days or whether the government will introduce measures to cushion operators against rising fuel costs.
