COPEC backs possible transport fare increase but warns of impact on commuters

COPEC's Executive Director, Duncan Amoah, has indicated that a possible increase in transport fares could be warranted due to the ongoing struggles of transport operators with escalating fuel and maintenance expenses. Speaking to JoyNews, Amoah noted that the government's recent intervention of GH¢2 per litre on diesel has stabilized fuel prices for transport operators, although it has not entirely alleviated the rising operational costs.

He disclosed that the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has been negotiating with various stakeholders over the need for a fare revision for several months. According to Amoah, given the financial hardships faced by commercial drivers, "it is only fair that some amount of increase be allowed to the driving community." He anticipated that the ongoing talks between the GPRTU and the government might lead to a fare increase less than the initial 30% proposed by the union.

Although this figure was his prediction, not an official decision, Amoah emphasized that the ultimate burden would fall on commuters, as their income levels have remained largely stagnant. Consequently, he proposed that discussions regarding transport fares should be intertwined with a more comprehensive review of workers' incomes, with organized labor playing a crucial role in potential adjustments to salaries.

Amoah also advocated for a more empirical approach to determining transport fares, proposing the development of a cost-per-kilometre and cost-per-passenger model by the GPRTU and the Transport Ministry. He argued that such a model would enable the calculation of fares objectively, taking into account factors like distance, fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance, and passenger numbers, instead of relying solely on negotiations.