The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging transport operators to continue charging their current fares as they engage the government on its decision to increase fares by 20%.
This call follows an all inconclusive meeting between the leadership of the GPRTU and the government.
Mr. Abass Moro, the Industrial Relations Officer of the union, revealed this to Peacefmonline.com, conveying positivity for a resolution as their engagement with the government proceeds.
“We made our grievances known, and they also told us their side. Finally, we have to go back and have another meeting. We will use your medium to tell our people [drivers] that where we have got to, we are pleading that they should still maintain what we are taking for now until we come out very clearly. So that nobody will say drivers are taking advantage of them. It’s our business that we are trying to defend,” he said.
The call for an increase in Transport fares by some public transport operators comes in the wake of the recent passage of the Emissions Levy Bill by Parliament imposing an annual fee of GH¢100 on all owners of petrol and diesel cars, starting from January 2024.
The government’s quest to promote the usage of environmentally friendly energy sources for all vehicles will only be made possible through Emission Levy Tax. The need to use environmentally friendly energies will help reduce the emission of carbon compounds into the environment.
In response to these developments, the GPRTU has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, urging a possible reconsideration of the Emission Levy Bill.
Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com
