Commuters in Lapaz are feeling the pinch of a 20% surge in transport fares, a move that contradicts a directive from the government and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) advising drivers against fare hikes. While some drivers justify the hike citing the escalating costs of fuel and spare parts, others consider it to be excessive.
Among the affected is Michael Lokpo, a commuter who recently returned from his mother’s funeral in Aflao in February. The increase in fares has made it more challenging for him, and many others, to commute, especially during these difficult times.
The decision to increase fares despite the government and GPRTU’s directive is leaving many commuters struggling to meet the new costs, adding an extra burden to their daily lives.
Michael Lokpo now has to pay GH₵29 more for his return journey to Aflao from Lapaz. This increase worries him because it’s a 20% fare hike, which goes against what the government and GPRTU advised.
According to David Agboado, the spokesperson for the Concerned Drivers Association, the fare increase is because of the rising operational costs and what they see as the government’s inaction.
However, fellow travelers to Aflao, Michael Agyemang and Helen Maamle, think the 20% fare increase is too much, even though the operators say it’s necessary.
Right now, major oil companies are selling petrol and diesel for over 14 cedis per litre. Because of this, fares from Lapaz to different places like Ashaiman, Tema, Prampram, and Dawhenya have gone up by 20%.
As a result, operators say they can’t wait for the agreement between the government and the transport associations.
Because of this, commuters are expressing their worries about the extra financial burden caused by these fare increases.
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