The Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana has announced a 30 percent increment in transportation fares throughout the country effective Monday, January 22,2024.
The transport operators mentioned that the prices of lubricants, spare parts, and DVLA service charges have seen a substantial rise.
For example, the cost of lubricants has increased by 15%, spare parts have gone up by 20%, and DVLA service charges have seen a 25% increment. These factors have contributed to the need for the fare increase.
The operators mentioned in a statement that they are facing growing expenses in the public transportation sector, which has made it more difficult to sustain their operations.
According to a statement from the drivers the continuous increase in lubricant prices, driven by fluctuations in the global oil markets, has become a major challenge for them. It has placed a significant burden on drivers who heavily rely on oil to keep their vehicles running efficiently.
Moreover, the drivers mentioned that the increasing expenses of spare parts, especially for maintenance and repairs, have had a significant impact on their ability to keep their vehicles in top-notch condition.
This has resulted in reduced operational efficiency and increased downtime, negatively impacting both drivers and the commuting public.
The Transport Operators Association acknowledged the negative impacts of these situations and mentioned that they have had extensive discussions with relevant stakeholders, including state agencies and other transport associations, to address these issues.
The objective behind proposing a fare increment is to mitigate financial crisis the drivers face and also to ensure a long-term viability of Ghana’s public transportation sector by implementing measures to guarantee its sustainability.
