Abass Moro, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), has explained why transport fares cannot be reduced immediately despite the recent drop in fuel prices.

According to him, there are other factors and components the GPRTU have to consider to avoid any future losses.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Kwame Owusu Nkwantabisa, host of ‘Adea Akye Abia’ morning show on Sompa TV in Kumasi, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, said fare adjustments are not automatically tied to fuel price changes, stressing that transport fares depend on several other factors beyond fuel.

According to him, there have been instances in the past where fares were increased not solely because of fuel prices but due to broader economic hardships facing the country.

“It is not automatic that when fuel prices go up, fares must increase, and when fuel prices come down, fares must also reduce,” he stated.

Mr. Abass explained that transport is a business that requires significant investment, adding that no investor would want to operate at a loss.

He recalled that the current fares already reflect a 15 percent reduction introduced during the government’s “resetting Ghana” agenda.

“The lorry fare we are taking now is part of the reduction we agreed on when everyone was resetting Ghana. We decided to reduce fares by 15 percent after engaging spare parts dealers and factoring in other costs,” he said.

However, he noted that not all the expected reductions in transport-related costs, particularly spare parts, materialized as planned.

While he acknowledged that government policies have helped improve some aspects of the economy, he emphasized that transport operators must consider all cost components to keep the business sustainable.

“If we don’t consider other components in our decisions, a time will come when no one will want to invest in the transport business because they will not want to lose,” Mr. Abass warned.

He added that although fuel prices have reduced, spare parts and other operational costs remain high, and these must be reviewed before any further fare reduction can be considered.

Mr. Abass appealed to passengers to remain patient, assuring them that GPRTU would not hesitate to reduce fares if conditions allow.

“If after considering the other components we can reduce fares, why not?” he said.

He also urged passengers to support transport authorities in clamping down on drivers and operators who increase fares without official approval.

“Passengers should help us fight those transport people who increase fares without the consent of transport authorities,” he concluded.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan