The recent spike in gas prices has spurred discussions about possible transportation ticket rises once more, with some Accra drivers leading the charge.
They are pressuring other transport unions and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) leadership to declare a fare rise.
The drivers argue that the rise in fuel prices is reducing their profit margins, which in turn is impacting their capacity to satisfy their basic needs and take on additional family obligations.
They bemoan the fact that the price of replacement parts and other necessities for their business has also skyrocketed.
“Sometimes we go home with bare hands because you cannot say you are not buying fuel. As long as you have moved the car, the car owner will take his or her sales. If you want to work with the car, you have to fill the tank. If you do all this and you don’t get anything for yourself.
“We plead with the mother union to increase the fare so that we can have that difference. If they increase by 20 or 15%, we will be okay, or let’s say 10 per cent,” Kwabena Kakraba, a taxi driver at the Adabraka Cooperative Society station told Citi Business News.
Although the situation is not universal across all stations visited by Citi Business News, some taxi drivers at Tesano have already begun to review their fares. Taxi drivers who previously charged GH₵10 for short distances are now insisting on GH₵15.
“Short distances used to be GHȼ10 but because of the fuel price hikes, it is now GHȼ15. If we don’t increase it, we cannot make ends meet. Spare parts are also on the rise. Home used tyres now cost GHȼ250. We have to factor all these otherwise we will make losses,” Kwaku Abban Abaidoo said.
Commuters are calling for issues regarding fuel price increases to be addressed to prevent further challenges.
“What we are asking is that anytime there is a fuel increase, they should think about the citizens,” Emmanuel Martey said.
A liter of gasoline cost GH₵14.80 during the first pricing window of July due to recent fuel price hikes, while a liter of diesel cost GH₵14.92 at major oil marketing companies like Shell and Goil.
