President of the Ghana Online Drivers Union, Francis Tengey has said the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) decision to implement a 15% fare reduction across public transport services does not include them.
According to the Online Drivers Union, they were not consulted by the GPRTU.
The Online Drivers Union asserted that users of Uber, Bolt, and Yango should not expect a reduction in fares despite the recent appreciation of the cedi and falling fuel prices.
Speaking on Citi Business News Francis Tengey stated, “What the GPRTU did does not include us, because we have not been consulted. We are not part of them. We are the users of Uber, Bolt, and Yango. We have a union, but our union is not recognized by the GPRTU or the Trade Union.
“Although we have applied since 2021 to be affiliated with TUC, we have not yet gotten that accreditation. So GPRTU giving this directive does not include us. Uber does not know GPRTU, Bolt and Yango do not know GPRTU”.
He further explained, “As unions and representatives of the drivers, we were not part of the meeting that GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport held. We were not represented. So our customers cannot enjoy the 15% reduction on prices”.
“We are pleading with the government, through the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Youth and Employment—these two sectors should come together to regulate the sector and recognise the union. When they recognise the union, a letter like this will be coming from us”.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has called on the Ghana Police Service to ensure the 15% fare reduction compliance by drivers.
According to GPRTU, they have done their part in reducing the transport fare.
Speaking in an interview, GPRTU Public Relations Officer Abbas Ibrahim Moro stated, “We have done our part by communicating the reduction and informing our members, who are complying earnestly. But a few members of unregistered unions have decided not to comply. So it is in the hands of law enforcement agencies to ensure full compliance”.
“The law enforcement agencies must set an example out of some drivers and let people know we are governed by laws and they work. There is no way any member will do unlawful things and go scot-free,” he added.
Meanwhile, CUTS International has called for firm action from the government to ensure Ghanaians benefit from recent fuel price reductions.
