The public has been urged by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) to ignore rumours that transportation costs would increase starting on July 18, 2022.
The GRTCC declared that the declaration that transportation charges will increase by 20% starting on July 18 was made by "a group of unknown transport companies" was illegal and should not be tolerated.
According to Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, the general secretary of the GRTCC, those responsible for the announcement of the increase in transportation costs were not a recognised organisation with the authority to set transportation costs.
On Wednesday, July 13, Mr. Ohene Yeboah informed Graphic Online's Timothy Ngnenbe that only the GRTCC and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have the bargaining power. "I want it stated clearly that the GRTCC and GPRTU are not acquainted with people posing as transport operators and requesting a transportation fare increase.
"I've been told that the organisation includes merchants in spare parts and Okada operators. We are not aware of them as a splinter organisation with the mission to support increases in transportation costs for other operators.
No discussions
He insisted that no discussions on transportation fees had been initiated by the GRTCC or the GPRTU.
He noted, "We have negotiated transportation fare increases with succeeding governments, and there is a set protocol for doing so. The GRTCC, GPRTU, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Consumer Protection Agency, he said, participated in talks on transportation costs (CPA).
He stated, "We all get down and evaluate the situation by taking into account the cost of gasoline, replacement parts, and other market aspects.
Despite the fact that fuel costs were one of the variables that went into calculating transportation charges, Mr. Yeboah continued, one could not only rely on them to announce increases.
"Only 33% of all considerations are taken into account when negotiating an increase in transportation fares.
Harmonization of prices
In order to prevent drivers from charging excessive fees, Mr. Yeboah stated that the GRTCC and other stakeholders were now working at harmonising the transportation tariff system.
"Every time tariffs are released, some people take advantage of the system by charging higher than the permitted fares. To ensure that the same tariffs are charged regardless of distance, we urge our leadership at the various ports to execute directions on pricing.
He also suggested that those who travel insist on paying the correct fares.