Transport fares shoot up by 10 per cent

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) summarily increased transport fares by 10 per cent following the 15 per cent hike in prices of petroleum products.

Mr. Charles Ankomah, General Secretary of the GPRTU, said regional secretariats of the union have been instructed to work out details of all fares in their regions and ensure that their members keep to the 10 per cent increase.

He said drivers who charge more than the approved increase will be dealt with drastically. Mr. Ankomah explained that "fuel forms only 15 per cent of the total cost of running a vehicle" adding that spare parts, lubricants, tyres, and other inputs take the remaining 85 per cent. He said the appreciation of the dollar against the cedi had led to an increase in the prices of other inputs that vehicles use.