GPRTU seeks President's intervention

Accra, June 16, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPTRU) has petitioned the President not to allow the implementation of any transportation system that would breed discrimination, corruption and stress to its members. Mr Robert Sarbah, Regional Vice Chairman of the GPTRU, who said this at a meeting with executives of the union drawn from 220 branches in Accra on Wednesday, said that Union had learnt that a new transportation system to be known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is to be established in the country.

He said under the system only vehicles with permits would be allowed to ply some designated routes in the metropolis and cities and that the new arrangement would put members out of business. Mr Sarbah said the issuance of permits to vehicles by the assemblies to ply the designated routes would bring about discrimination and those who would like to force their inclusion might pay bribe. He said the BRT would put a lot of members out of job and aggravate the unemployment situation in the country "We see the BRT as a calculated attempt to stifle the private sector in the road transportation sector more especially the intra city (tro tro) operations."