The Head of Industrial Relations at the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPTU), Alhaji Abass Imoro, has cautioned that transport operators will increase fares by a percentage they deem necessary if the Transport Ministry allows VIP Jeoun to go ahead with its 25% fare increment.

His remarks follow reports that VIP Jeoun Transport may implement a 25 percent fare increase beginning April 8 without consultation with the Ministry of Transport.

Speaking on TV3's Ghana Tonight, Tuesday, April 7, Abass Imoro said such a move would undermine the established practice where transport fare adjustments are negotiated between operators and the Transport Ministry, often taking into account broader economic conditions, including workers’ salaries and the cost of living.

“We will be surprised if tomorrow, VIP comes up with the 25% increase. We are assuring the Transport Ministry that we will make sure, everywhere throughout the country, everybody will be charging how he wants.,” he stated.

He stressed that GPRTU has consistently cooperated with government in announcing fare increases, even when the Union push for higher adjustments, government pleads for a consideration.

However, he warned that this restraint may not continue if VIP is allowed to act independently and increase it fares.
"Because most often, whatever percentage we arrive at and we want to work with it, the Transport Ministry engage us, talks to us and plead with us at times to the extent that workers’ salary has not been increased, that we should consider all those things and finally we agree and come back with reasonable percentage.

"So, if VIP, a transport operation company can decide on their own to add 25%, no government official will go to them and bargain with them, you have just allowed them to charge us how they think it is possible for them, we are assuring the Transport Ministry that if they do, they shouldn’t blame anybody. Every transport operator will charge how they deem necessary," he added.

Mr. Imoro further criticised the Ministry of Transport for what he described as a lack of oversight, questioning why a single transport company would be allowed to set fares without broader consultation, especially when it does not operate nationwide.

He warned that the situation could lead to inconsistencies in transport fares across the country, placing an additional burden on commuters already grappling with rising living costs.

The GPRTU says it expects the Transport Ministry to intervene and ensure that any fare adjustments are done through the established consultative process to maintain stability within the sector.