Public transport operators in Tamale are pushing back against the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) directive to reduce transport fares by 15 per cent, with many implementing only 10 or 5 per cent cuts instead.
While the GPRTU officially announced the fare reduction last week, compliance has been inconsistent across various stations in the Northern Regional capital. Drivers blame the partial implementation on soaring prices of spare parts, which they say continue to affect their operational costs.
Mr. Ali Mumuni, Station Officer at the Kpandi lorry station, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that until spare parts dealers reduce their prices, drivers may struggle to meet the full fare reduction target. “We are not against lowering fares, but we also need support. Spare parts are too expensive, and this affects our ability to comply fully,” he said.
Passengers, however, expressed disappointment over the partial fare cuts, describing them as unfair. “It’s frustrating. The GPRTU said 15 per cent, so we expect drivers to follow that,” said a commuter at the Tamale lorry station.
Alhaji Salifu Mashahad, Northern Regional Secretary of the GPRTU, confirmed that official letters had been distributed to all union members, urging them to comply with the 15 per cent fare reduction. “We are actively following up. By the end of the week, we expect all transport operators to fully implement the new fare structure,” he stated.
As the standoff continues, attention is turning to spare parts sellers, who are being called upon to reduce prices in support of broader efforts to ease the burden on commuters and transport operators alike.
