Transport fares are likely to go up between 10 and 15 percent on February 1, 2016, sources close to the ongoing negotiations between transport unions and government have hinted.
The various transport unions have been in talks with government over the increment of the fares following the hikes in fuel prices which took effect on January 4.
The negotiations have dragged on for the past three weeks, with some commercial drivers complaining about the delay and its effect on their operations.
The latest increase of between 18 and 30 percent in the prices of petroleum products was occasioned by the passage of the Energy Sector Levy (ESL) by Parliament in December last year.
A gallon of petrol now sells around GH¢15.40 with diesel going for GH¢14.50.
The price of LPG has also gone up by about 18 percent.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has warned all its members to desist from increasing transport fares until the union concludes discussions with the Transport Ministry.
In recent times, transport fares have remained unchanged despite intermittent marginal reductions in the prices of petroleum products as a result of the implementation of the petroleum deregulation policy.
But transport operators have argued that increases in fares are not only determined by upward adjustments in fuel prices but hikes in the prices of spare parts and others which have all gone up drastically.
Ghanaians are lamenting over the harsh economic conditions occasioned by the increases in utility tariffs and newly introduced taxes.
Should transport fares be increased, the lives of many a Ghanaian would become miserable.
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