Government says it will push for a downward review of transport fares at a meeting with the various transport unions today [ Monday] February 1.
The unions on Sunday announced a 15% increase in fares ahead of a final meeting.
The unions say the increase which had unduly delayed was taking a toll on their members citing inflation, high cost of spare parts and increased fuel prices.
Speaking to Citi News, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, said despite the decision of the unions, her outfit will still push for a downward review.
[contextly_sidebar id=”HoirddWiZAXBotxIgGyRPjJoqLvdSI8t”]She said they have had several meetings with the transport operators adding that “our last meeting would have been this morning [Monday] and that we would have taken into cognizance the fact that this new reduction in fuel prices of 2% which has been announced by the NPA, would also have been taken into consideration.”
Bawa Mogtari observed that despite the reduction, the private transport operators had argued that they took other issues into consideration before increasing the fares by 15%.
“…But of course, since they have actually received this reduction this morning, we will still be meeting them and engaging them, and of course considering the public outcry that has greeted the increment, I’m sure that they are a listening group of people that they will be taking the public concerns on board and we will continue to monitor and negotiate to ensure that we get a fair deal for the travelling public.”
The Deputy Transport Minister however noted that management of the Metro Mass Transit have given the assurance not to increase their fares “and we do hope that we will be able to augment the services being provided by the private transport association. But of course, the negotiations are ongoing and we do hope that gradually we will reach a certain point that works for all of us.”
–
By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana