By: Ama Gyamfuah
The Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana has put on hold a planned 15% rise in transport fares which was scheduled to start on Monday, July 22, 2024.
The increase was proposed in response to the escalating costs of fuel and essential spare parts needed for the transport industry.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) had urged commuters to disregard the announcement.
David Agboado, the Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, in an interview explained that, the fare increase was suspended because its timing would add to the public’s hardships.
“We the transport operators have sat together and do our own thing. We have come to the understanding that things have been increased…fuel, spare parts and everything is up but this is not the time that we should increase the transport fare that is why we have come together to say we won’t increase it again.
“If you ask me, transport fares will not be going up because we the transporters have understood ourselves,” he said.
David Agboado has advised commercial drivers to maintain the current fares until a more suitable time for an increase is decided.
David also advised his fellow drivers to exercise patience. He emphasized that the fare increase was implemented by their decision, reflecting their responsibility to act in the public’s interest.
He reassured them that the decision to suspend the hike was also made with their interests in mind and encouraged them to remain calm, noting that the right time for a fare adjustment will come.