Road transport operators have postponed a planned 30% hike in transit fares while they await the outcome of the next gasoline pricing window, which is due on Friday.
Following an appeal from the government, which claims to be taking steps to lower the cost of petroleum products, the operators, who had previously announced plans to modify fares in response to rising fuel prices, have temporarily shelved the move.
Samuel Amoah, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) deputy public relations officer, stated that talks between the government and the union’s leadership led to the decision to halt the planned fare increase.
“Yesterday, my leadership informed us that when they met, government asked us to hold on because they are working on measures to ensure fuel prices come down,” he stated.
However, according to the union’s own assessment, fuel costs may rise once more in the upcoming pricing window, Mr. Amoah said.
“Our investigations have proved to us that even in the next pricing window, fuel prices are likely to go up again. So we are still holding on to the decision on the proposed 30 per cent increment. We will wait until Friday to see what happens at the pumps before we decide on our next course of action,” he stated.
He said that diesel is currently selling for about GH¢17.78 per litre, while petrol is retailing for about GH¢14.95 per litre, and that the current cost of gasoline continues to put a significant financial burden on business drivers.
He claims that the growing price of fuel has drastically decreased drivers’ pay and made it harder for many transportation companies to be profitable.
According to Mr. Amoah, some drivers have given up on particular routes since the profits are no longer sufficient to cover the operating expenses.
“There are areas that drivers don’t even want to ply because when they go and return, they make no meaningful income. That is the challenge we are facing now,” he said.
Before determining whether to move forward with the proposed fee rise, the GPRTU says it will assess the situation following the next fuel price adjustment.
Source: newsthemegh.com