GPRTU Rejects NPA Claim That 30% Transport Fare Increase Has Been Put on Hold

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has rejected claims by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) that its proposed 30% increase in transport fares has been put on hold.

The union insists that no agreement has been reached with the government to suspend the proposed adjustment, stressing that negotiations with the Ministry of Transport remain inconclusive.

Speaking on JoyNews, GPRTU Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, said the union and the Ministry of Transport were still negotiating the proposed fare increase at their most recent meeting on Friday, September 18.

“There has never been any agreement with the government that we are suspending our proposed increment. The last meeting we had with the minister was last Friday, and we were still negotiating the 30 percent increase, but there wasn’t any conclusion,” he said.

His comments contradict an earlier position by NPA Chief Executive, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, who said engagements between government and transport operators had helped put the planned fare increase “on ice.”

Mr. Tamakloe explained that government and transport operators had been engaging on measures to manage the impact of rising fuel prices and other operating costs without immediately transferring the full burden to commuters.

GPRTU Maintains 30% Demand

Mr. Amoah said the GPRTU remains committed to its proposed 30% fare adjustment, although the union is open to negotiations.

According to him, the union made it clear during Friday’s meeting that while it could consider a reduction, the adjustment should not fall below 25%.

“We are pushing for 30 percent increment. That is what was on the table at the last Friday negotiation. And we made the ministry understand that if we have to come down, we still come anything less than 25%. And that is where we ended it,” he said.

The GPRTU had earlier submitted a proposal for a fare review to the Ministry of Transport. A joint team comprising representatives from the ministry, the GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) was tasked with reviewing the various cost components before a final decision is reached.

The union has previously maintained that existing approved transport fares remain in force while the review process continues.

Rising Fuel Prices Cited

Mr. Amoah attributed the proposed fare increase to rising operational costs, including fuel prices, vehicle maintenance, spare parts and insurance.

The development follows the NPA’s decision to raise the price floors for petrol and diesel effective September 16, setting the minimum prices at GH¢16 per litre for petrol and GH¢16.77 per litre for diesel. Some Oil Marketing Companies subsequently adjusted their pump prices.

The GPRTU argues that the increase in fuel costs has added to existing financial pressures facing commercial transport operators.

Further Talks Expected Tuesday

According to Mr. Amoah, the GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport are expected to resume negotiations on Tuesday, September 22, with the aim of reaching an agreement on the proposed fare adjustment.

He explained that the meeting was postponed because Monday, September 21, was a public holiday.

“We all agreed that tomorrow morning we’ll go back to the transport ministry again to conclude the percentage increment,” he said.

The outcome of the renewed negotiations will determine whether the proposed 30% adjustment is maintained, reduced or otherwise revised.

GPRTU Distances Itself From PROTOA Strike

Meanwhile, Mr. Amoah said GPRTU members had been directed not to participate in a sit-down strike announced by the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) over rising vehicle maintenance costs.

The directive comes amid growing concerns among commercial transport operators over the increasing cost of operating and maintaining vehicles.

For now, however, no new transport fare has been officially approved, and the existing approved fares remain in effect pending the conclusion of negotiations between the GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport.