The Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) has refuted claims of a possible reduction in transit fares due to a reduction in fuel prices. The National Petroleum Authority announced a 10% reduction in fuel prices effective January 1, 2015.
Many people were expectant of a reduction in transport fess as well but the GPRTU has said that transport fares would not be reduced automatically. He explained that it would not be prudent for the union to reduce prices until other factors such as maintenance cost, spare parts,the lending rates, the income taxes, the DVLA registration and the actual cost of registration are taken into consideration.
In an interview with Citi Fm, Mr. Robert Sabah, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the GPRTU said;
“It is not petrol alone that goes into the running cost of our operations, there are other factors which are equally important. We will ensure that we go to the market and see whether the reduction of fuel by 10 percent has also affected areas like the insurance charges that we pay, the lending rates, the income taxes, the DVLA registration and the actual cost of registration.
There are issues like tyres, maintenance cost, spare parts. All these components added together make up the running cost of our operations. If all these indications are still higher, there is a likelihood that it will not be all that wise to reduce the cost,” he said
However, the GPRTU has assured the public of a reduction in transport fees after an evaluation of all the necessary factors.