Africa-Press – Ghana. Passengers and drivers atthe Tema Station in Accra have expressed different opinions over the 15 per cent public transport fare reduction, which is to be implemented nationwide from Saturday, May 24.
The directive aims to reflect recent reductions in fuel prices and the strengthening of the cedi, but has drawn varied responses from stakeholders.
Mr Frederick Boakye Gyimah, the Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Burma Camp Branch, said while drivers were informed of the directive, many were unhappy about it.
He noted that fare reductions based solely on fuel prices ignored persistent increases in spare parts and maintenance costs.
Mr Gyimah observed that due to the low patronage at the terminal, vehicles frequently departed without being fully loaded, and feared that a full implementation of the directive would affect earnings.
He said the new fares -GH¢6.80 down to GH¢6.50 -would be applied from Monday with passenger consultation to allow them (drivers) to maintain the partial loading of their vehicles at the terminal.
However, if passengers resisted, the full 15 per cent cut would be enforced, even if it delayed departures.
Mr Okpoti Sowah, a driver and former union executive at La-Tema Station, echoed Mr Gyimah’s views.
He said though new fares were being charged,the lack of corresponding reductions in goods and services created an imbalance.
He said notices and updated fare lists had been posted to avoid conflict with passengers.
Madam Comfort Tackie, a trader in bags, told the Ghana News Agency that her fare from Caprice to Accra had dropped from GH¢6.00 to GH¢5.00, saying that would ease her financial burden.
She urged the government to intensify interventions in addressing Ghana’s broader economic challenges.
Mr Samuel Okyere, dealer in phone accessories, said though his fare was yet to be reduced, he was pleased with the government’s decision, anticipating relief in subsequent trips.
He expressed the belief that the change would support his savings.
Mr Solomon Boateng, a trader in sunglasses, was less optimistic, saying the impact on his finances would be negligible.
He, however, acknowledged a fare drop from GH¢7.80 to GH¢7.00 from his Dansoman, Gleferesidence to Accra Tema Station.
Madam Sarah Doku, fruits and vegetables seller, who commutes from Agege to Tema Station, is yet to benefit from the reduction.
As of Saturday morning, she said there was no reduction in the GHc7.00 fare, which resulted inconfrontations between passengers and driversand their “mates”.
Although she expected traders to reduce prices to correspond to the fare reduction, she noted that any benefit from transport savings would be neutralised by lowering prices of her goods.
A joint statement by the GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) announced the nationwide fare reduction, urging all commercial operators to comply and display revised fares at the terminals.
The statement, signed by Mr Godfred Abulbire and Mr Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, General Secretaries of the GPRTU and GRTCC,respectively, called on both commuters and drivers to cooperate for a smooth implementation of the directive.
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