Rising fuel prices will inevitably push up transport fares – COPEC

The Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, has warned that rising fuel prices will inevitably lead to an increase in public transport fares. Transport operators are currently struggling with higher diesel and petrol costs, making it challenging for them to maintain their operations without adjusting fares. COPEC has urged the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) not to be blamed for the pressure it is facing due to rising fuel costs.

However, they have cautioned against arbitrary fare increases by individual drivers, as this could create confusion and burden commuters further.

Amoah emphasized the need for coordination among transport operators to ensure fair and consistent fare adjustments. He warned that allowing individual operators to set their own fares could lead to confusion and increase the cost of goods and services for consumers. COPEC has been advocating for a more sustainable petroleum pricing model, such as a dual pricing mechanism, which would allow the government to adjust taxes based on international fuel prices.

While the government has made efforts to reduce taxes on petroleum products, Amoah believes a longer-term solution is necessary to protect consumers from sharp fluctuations in global fuel prices.