Enthusiasm from both drivers and passengers has greeted the announcement that transport fares are to go down by 15 per cent from Saturday, May 24. 

A consultative meeting among the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Ministry of Transport and other bodies under the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) decided to address a recent drop in fuel prices and the cost of parts.

The reduction is expected to benefit thousands of commuters who rely on public transport for their daily activities.

Passengers have expressed relief, stating that the fare reduction was long overdue.

They explained that they were eagerly waiting for the adjustment, as the previous fares had not reflected the decrease in fuel costs.

For the drivers, although they have agreed to adhere to the directive, they explained that transport fare charges were not about fuel alone but other factors such as spare parts, insurance, vehicle maintenance, among others.

Compliance

A Local Executive of the GPRTU, Circle, Richard Lamptey, told the Daily Graphic that they would comply with the directive come Saturday, but called for clear communication to all members to ensure across-the-board compliance with the directive.

He indicated that drivers under the union had no problem with adherence, but said drivers without fixed transport stations were fond of not adhering to directives, creating confusion in commercial vehicles.

He expressed the hope that spare parts dealers would also reduce the prices of parts.

Mr Lamptey reiterated the importance of fair pricing and compliance with rules and said no driver would be permitted to overcharge.

“No station will allow its members to overcharge. They will be made to comply with the rules and regulations,” he stressed.

A driver at the Kwame Nkrumah Transport station, John Sunu, said although there was a reduction in fuel prices, the reduction did not warrant a 15 per cent reduction.

To him, it was not yet time to reduce fares, and added that the right time for a reduction would be when fuel prices get to GH¢10 per litre.

Another driver, Kwame Boadi, who claimed he had not heard about the directive and was not happy when asked about it, said he had no option but to obey the directive.

He said with the reduction of the fuel prices, they anticipated that a directive like that would come.

He also said the directive was early, but he was quick to add that he would adhere to the reduction.

A passenger, Eric Appiah, was happy about the directive to reduce transport fares and said it would alleviate the current hardship they were facing.

Another commuter, Beatrice Annan, thanked the Transport Ministry and the leaders of the transport union for agreeing to reduce transport fares and said they could manage the little money they have.