The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged the commuting public to disregard the 15% increase in transport fares announced by some transport operators.

An announcement from a group known as the Transport Operators Association said the fare hike would take effect from Monday, July 22.

Despite acknowledging the rising prices of petroleum products and their significant impact on transportation costs, the GPRTU emphasised that any fare increase must follow proper stakeholder engagement, which has not yet occurred.

• Read also: Concerned Drivers Association to hike transport fare by 15% effective July 22

Therefore, the GPRTU has directed commercial transport operators to adhere to the current fare rates.

In an interview with Citi FM, Abass Imoro, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, reiterated that the processes for fare adjustments must be followed meticulously. 

He stressed that fare increases cannot be implemented arbitrarily and require thorough discussions with all relevant stakeholders.

Mr Imoro assured the public that the GPRTU is committed to ensuring fair practices and will continue to engage with stakeholders to address the challenges posed by rising fuel prices. 

However, until these discussions are concluded and agreements are reached, transport fares should remain unchanged.

We are not coming out with an increment. We are saying no, it is not just any ordinary increment in fuel which attracts fare adjustment. We recently increased lorry fares so we haven’t gotten there. It is unfortunate, for those who came out with that publication.

"We know what is happening but we have to go by the laid down system before any increment is done. So the public should disregard the press release by those people who said fares will be increased," he said.