GPRTU rules out increases in transport fares; targets June.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged private commercial transport operators to be patient as a new prices are worked out to be enforced in June.

Despite expressing surprise at the latest increase, General Secretary of the GPRTU Steven Okudzeto is advising against an immediate increase in fares.

“The answer is no….why the rush?”, he told Joy News Monday after reports emerged that drivers are pushing for an increase in fares.

Steven Okudzeto said the GPRTU will be meeting with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and Transport Ministry to “start calculations on Wednesday”.

Petrol is now selling for ?15 from ?13.70 after government announced a 9% increase in petroleum prices on Sunday.

With drivers itching to respond, it will be surprising if transport fares remain unchanged.

But Steven Okudzeto says an increase in fares is likely only in June according to an agreed formula.

“We are in agreement that transport fares should be increased twice a year, that is January and June. June is just around the corner”

He argued that an immediate increase today and another later in June will be too much for commuters.

Transport owners under GPRTU should, therefore, exercise “a little bit of patience to enable us do the right thing”.

According to the General Secretary, the Union will have to take into consideration “all other components that go into running commercial transport” before any increase is concluded.

He expects the no-immediate upward review position to remain unchallenged by drivers.

“You must listen to the leadership and the leadership is asking you to exercise patience”, he told Joy News Monday.

– See more at: http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2015/May-18th/gprtu-rules-out-increases-in-transport-fares-targets-june.php#sthash.YBtRtZRG.dpuf.