GPRTU directs drivers to reverse unauthorized fare hikes, citing pending fuel review

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has issued a firm directive ordering all commercial drivers who have unilaterally increased transport fares to immediately revert to the previous rates, warning that no official approval has been granted for any adjustment.

The directive comes in response to a surge of complaints from passengers, particularly within the Greater Accra Region, who have reported being charged inflated fares on various routes over the past 48 hours, despite the absence of any publicly gazetted or union-sanctioned increment.

Fuel Levy Removal Triggers Suspension
In a briefing with Citi News, the GPRTU’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, clarified that the union’s leadership had, in fact, been considering a fare review due to the rising cost of diesel. However, those plans were placed on hold following a crucial intervention by the presidency: the removal of the GHS2 per litre levy on diesel.

“The process for adjusting fares is clearly outlined. At our last meeting with the Ministry of Transport, we collectively agreed to suspend the intended increment because the President took off the GHS2 levy from the diesel price,” Amoah explained.

He noted that the union decided to monitor pump prices until the end of August to gauge the full impact of the tax relief before making a definitive decision on fares. “We decided to hold on till the end of the month to see where the fuel price will go again,” he added.

Established Consultation Protocol
The GPRTU stressed that any fare adjustment must follow a structured, multi-stakeholder negotiation process. This involves formal submissions to the Ministry of Transport, consultations with the National Transport Authority (NTA), and engagement with passenger representative groups. The union reiterated that rogue drivers acting independently undermine this protocol and create unnecessary confusion among the commuting public.

“We understand things are difficult for everyone, but there is a process we go through before we increase transport fares,” Amoah cautioned. “We are, therefore, telling drivers to reverse to the old fare they were taking.”

Disciplinary Consequences
The union warned that any driver found to be flouting this directive would face internal disciplinary sanctions, which could include suspension from the union’s designated terminals. The GPRTU also urged passengers to resist paying inflated fares and to report any recalcitrant drivers to the union’s regional offices immediately.

For now, commuters are encouraged to continue paying the existing fare rates, which have been in place since the last official review. The GPRTU has assured the public that any future increment, if deemed necessary after the month-end fuel price assessment, will be communicated widely and transparently before implementation.