Transport operators to meet over fare increment

Transport operators have scheduled a meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, January 28, in connection with a proposed increment in transport fares.

This follows an increment in fuel prices in early January.

Chairmen for the Road Transport Operators Association and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Amoabeng and Mr Kwame Kumah confirmed the meeting to Graphic Online.

Graphic Online gathers that the transport operators are proposing an increment of about 15 per cent but Mr Amoabeng and Mr Kumah were tight lipped on how much they want consumers to pay.

“I cannot disclose the percentage increase not until it has been confirmed,” Mr Amoabeng said.

Parliament on December 23, 2015 passed the Energy Sector Levy which led to an increment in some petroleum products between 18 and 27 per cent.

The Act, which seeks to realign petroleum-related taxes by adjusting some of the levies and abolishing others, led to some changes on the ex-pump price of petroleum products.

A gallon of petrol now sells around Gh¢15.40 pesewas while diesel sells for Gh¢14.50 pesewas.

However, following the increment which took effect on Monday, January 4, 2016, transport fares have remained the same.

The last increment in transport fares by some 15 per cent was in June 2015.