The Chairman of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association (GCDA), Charles Danso, says the Association is not relenting in its decision to increase transport fares by twenty percent (20%).
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While the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged its members not to increase transport fares until there has been a consultation with government, the Association has noted that it is not bound by the laws of the GPRTU.
According to the chairman, the so-called consultation that the GPRTU is set to have with the government will only be a waste of time with no conclusive decision.
Illustrating his point, he told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show aired on e.TV Ghana and Happy 98.9FM: “The GPRTU’s engagement with the government is like eating with the tortoise and then you tell the tortoise to go wash its hand before joining you to eat. You know the tortoise will still walk on the ground with its hands and feet and it will get dirty again. By the time it washes a second time, the food will be finished. We were all in this country when the levies and taxes took effect so why are we going through this process?”
Charles Danso reasoned that if the government had introduced new taxes and fares, it is only fair then that drivers also increase their fares to keep up with the system.
“GPRTU’s constitution is not our constitution. So, if fuel price has been increased, and taxes introduced from May 2 up till now, why would we just look unconcerned. If there is any driver listening to me, it is 20 percent increment we are making. And for the passengers, they must know that we are increasing the fares by 20 percent”, he added.
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Background
Private transport operators in the country have agreed to increase transport fares by 20%.
This increment, they say, takes effect today, Monday, May 17, 2021.
The development comes after a series of engagements among members of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association, International Drivers Road Transport Union, Truth Drivers Union and the Concerned Drivers Association.
A joint statement issued by the operators said the increment has been necessitated by different factors including new taxes on fuel, the cost of vehicle spare parts and charges levied by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
