Drivers express concern over new fares

Sunyani (B/A) June 17, GNA - Taxi Drivers in Sunyani Municipality have expressed concern about the new transport fares introduced by the Municipal Assembly and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, the drivers stated that they could not make their daily sales with the coming into effect of the new fares new fares. Ebenezer Osei Sarpong, who operates at Chiraa lorry station, indicated that because the reduction of fuel prices affected only diesel fuel and not petrol, it had made it very difficult for drivers who use vehicles that use the fuel to charge the same fare as their diesel counterparts.

"About 90 percent of taxis in the municipality use petrol and we are able to make only GHP 20.00 on a gallon of petrol that we buy, hence making our operations unprofitable" he added. He said a lot of drivers had as a result lost their jobs as they had not been able to meet the demands of their vehicle owners. The drivers appealed to the GPRTU and the Municipal Assembly to come to their aid and provide them with new fares to enable them to make their daily sales. The situation is however different with taxi drivers who ply outside the municipality, as there were no complaints from them. They did not see any changes that the new fares would bear on their operations.

When contacted, Mr. Richard Yaw Amankwa, municipal branch secretary of GPRTU confirmed the plight of the taxi drivers but stated that the situation would not have any negative impact on their operations. He explained that the transport coordinating council of the GPRTU put all the necessary measures in place before introducing the new fares and was aware and knew that the situation would not be critical if the drivers charged the new fares. Mr. Amankwa noted that the situation would also increase the patronage of taxi service and encouraged drivers to work harder to adjust themselves to the situation.