The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has explained that it has not given approval for increment of transport fares in the country over the measures taken by the government in fighting against the coronavirus pandemic.
The GPRTU said currently all transport fares remain the same even though the measures announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is having a dire consequence on commercial drivers.
President Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020 placed a four-week ban on public gatherings, including religious activities and funerals.
The President by Executive Instrument (EI) 64 also directed the reduction of number of passengers onboard commercial vehicles.
Per the directives, commercial vehicles that previously loaded four passengers on a row or seat were mandated to now load three on a row or a seat while those that loaded three on a row or seat were mandated to load two.
Taxi cabs were also mandated to load a total of three passengers, two at the back seat and one in front.
These directives, according to some transport operators, are having a dire consequence on their daily sales since transport fares have not been increased though they make the same sales to their vehicle owners.
This has compelled some commercial and taxi cab drivers to increase their transport fares arbitrarily, creating confusion among drivers and their mates on one side and passengers, on the other.
Reacting to the development on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa hosted by Bright Kwasi Asempa on Thursday, the National Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, Robert Sabah, said, “I am not aware of any increment because that is not the criteria we use to increase fares”.
He added: “There is not a collective agreement to increase transport fares so those who have increase their fares must desist from doing so”.
Mr. Sabah warned that the law will deal with any commercial driver who would increase his fare.
By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|3news.com|Ghana