Transport fares go down 10% on August 1st – COPEC

Commercial drivers are likely to reduce transport fares by 10 percent effective Saturday, August 1.

The decision comes after a call by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) following the President’s decision to lift the restriction placed on commercial vehicles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leadership of various transport unions met in Accra on Monday, July 27, 2020, and agreed on the reduction.

They have consequently agreed to issue a communique to all member transport unions for them to implement the 10 percent reduction by Saturday, August 1, 2020.

READ: The COVID-19, Public Health Safety and Politics: The Mistakes Leading Ghana to Hell

President Akufo-Addo announced on Sunday that commercial buses and taxis are to load at full capacity.

In his 14th Covid-19 update to the nation, the President, however, noted that safety protocol must still be observed by passengers.

“In consultation with the Ministries of Transport and Aviation and the leadership of transport operators, Government has taken the decision to lift the restrictions in the transport sector, and allow for full capacity in our domestic airplanes, taxis, trotros, and buses.”

In a statement, COPEC explained that the President’s directive means revenue which was being lost by the commercial drivers will be restored hence the need to reduce transport fares.

“What this directive means is that every revenue that until the date has been losing per trip by the commercial transport operators before the announcement during the period and for which commuters have recently been forced to cough up additional 15-30% transport fare increases is now restored in favour of our commercial transport operators and thus the recent increases of between 15-30% must and should be reversed forthwith.”

COPEC added, “We are, by this statement calling on some of our major stakeholders in the transport sector including the GPRTU, Concerned Drivers Association, Committed Drivers Association and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council to immediately without fail, ensure that transport fares are reversed by close of day tomorrow, not only to previous rates but a further 5% reduction possibly on the previous rates before these recent increases since fuel price variance as at this point remains positive by at least a further 12% from the pre-covid-19 lockdown period.”