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President Akufo-Addo easing restrictions on the transport sector mean nothing to the commercial drivers as they remain adamant in reviewing transport fares which is perked at 15 percent increment.

The excuse of the commercial drivers is based on the fact that they still buy fuel at a higher price, making it impossible for them to reduce the transport fares in spite of the fact that they are now loading to full capacity.

Initially, the commercial drivers were allowed to increase the transport fares due to the fact that aside from the fuel price hike, the commercial drivers suffered as they had to reduce the number of passengers to aid in the fight against the Covid-19.

“Fuel is not reduced, they should reduce the fuel so that we can also reduce the fares,” a driver told JoyNews.

President Akufo-Addo in March issued a directive for transport operators to reduce the number of persons carried in vehicles in line with the social distancing protocols in an attempt to stop the spread of the Covid-19.

After several calls by drivers to government for an increase in transport fares, prices were increased by 15 percent effective July 11 but even with that some transport unions decided to increase it to 25 percent to make up for both the reduction in the number of persons in vehicles and the increase in fuel price.

Deputy Transport Minister, Titus Glover said the decision was taken “in acknowledgment of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on drivers.”

However, the President in his 14th address to the nation has directed that drivers should resume operations at full capacity upon the advice that passengers will wear their nose masks in the vehicles to protect themselves against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

According to the report on JoyNews, some of the drivers have welcomed the directive to operate at full capacity but they have refused to reduce transport fares, insisting that the government first reduce fuel prices.

In an interview with the National Vice Chairman of GPRTU, Robert Sarbah said the decision to reduce transport fares or not does not lie in the hands of the commercial drivers as the various transport unions are yet with the Transport Minister to take a collective decision on it.

“I’m not aware that drivers have said so. However, drivers take directives from their leadership so they cannot be a law unto themselves.

“We are going to meet with the Ministry of Transport so whatever will come out from the meeting will be the decision of the union”.

“It is not the preserve of the GPRTU to come up with transport fares. We do so in collaboration with other transport organizations so we’re going to meet at the Ministry of Transport to see the way forward,” he said.