{"id":186226,"date":"2016-02-01T15:52:02","date_gmt":"2016-02-01T15:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=186226"},"modified":"2016-02-01T15:52:02","modified_gmt":"2016-02-01T15:52:02","slug":"commuters-escape-new-fares-due-to-confusion-over-15-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/02\/commuters-escape-new-fares-due-to-confusion-over-15-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"Commuters escape new fares due to confusion over 15% hike"},"content":{"rendered":"

Citi News’<\/strong> checks have revealed that the 15% increment in transport fares has not been effected across board. Only few drivers are charging the new fares with the majority saying they are yet to be notified.<\/p>\n

This is due to the seeming confusion between government and the transport\u00a0unions over the increment which was announced on Sunday by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).<\/p>\n

[contextly_sidebar id=”xtWoeeWmdSJ975of73VcaUOlu5dg6Udp”]Citi News\u2019<\/strong> Farida Shaibu who visited some\u00a0transport\u00a0terminals\u00a0reported that \u201cat one\u00a0taxi rank at Circle, some taxi drivers were not aware of the increases but their station heads were on hand to direct them to charge the new fares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like these taxi drivers many of the other commercial drivers, unsure of how much to charge for an increase, stuck with the original fares early this morning,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

She stated that most commuters who left their homes early\u00a0clearly\u00a0escaped the new fares perhaps just for today [Monday].<\/p>\n

Citi News’<\/strong>\u00a0Latif Mahama also reported that drivers in the Upper West Region are still charging the old fares.<\/p>\n

According to him, \u201cchecks at the Wa Kejetia lorry park where most of the various terminals\u00a0are located, indicate that the 15% fare increment is yet to take effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Majority of the drivers said they were awaiting for an official communication from the GPRTU\u00a0to\u00a0effect the increment.<\/p>\n

Senior Industrial Officer of the Upper West branch of GPRTU, Alhaji \u00a0Mahama, said with the 15%, the branch will release the new fares this\u00a0evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 15 percent increment has come to our notice. Currently, my secretaries are working busily on the new fares and we are going to release them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Senior Industrial Relations Officer said the 15 percent will have an effect on the already poverty plagued Upper West Region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe economy is not good, people are suffering and for them to afford this 15% increment will be a problem. People are actually facing challenges because of the recent increments” he lamented.<\/p>\n

Gov\u2019t to ensure downward review<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile government has given the assurance that it will review transport fares <\/a><\/strong><\/span>at a meeting with transport unions scheduled for today.<\/p>\n

The Deputy Minister of Transport Joyce Bawa Mogtari, said despite the hasty decision of the unions, her outfit will still push for a downward review.<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

By: Marian Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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