Deputy Transport Minister Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana says the Commercial Road Transport Operators have no reason to increase transport fares.

According to him, since there is no increase in spare parts, lubricants, and other products, there is no reason for fares to increase.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Thursday, January 18, he said “We are saying that there is no basis for [for any increase] now.

"So, normally, you will state that these are the considerations upon which the review is being made for the benefit of the general public so that it does not look like we are burdening the general public unnecessarily. So there must be some basis.

“We must lay some foundation that prices of petroleum products have gone up, prices of spear parts have gone up.”

• Read also: Effective January 22, commercial transport fares to go up by 30%

His comment follows a press release by Commercial Transport Operators in Ghana announcing a 30% increase in transportation fares nationwide, starting from Monday, January 22.

The operators justified this decision, citing significant increases in the costs of lubricants, spare parts, and DVLA service charges.

• Read also: Let’s have a conversation – Transport Ministry to transport operators over fare hike proposal

However, the deputy minister said although they did not know the said union, the prices of petroleum products have decreased since the last hikes.

He emphasised that even if the fares are increased in anticipation of an increase in taxes, the union must wait until these taxes are implemented.

Meanwhile, Mr Sulemana said his outfit will have a meeting with the union to deliberate on the taxes and find the way forward.

“We have to have a conversation so we look at those taxes and how did they impact the lorry fare. We have a formula if you put all the variables into a basket and it goes beyond a certain trench hold then there is an automatic trigger.

"We haven’t had that conversation yet so the unilateral decision goes contrary to the established procedure that we have had," he added.