Transport operators increase fares following fuel price hikes(DG Monday Feb 18, 2013 Page 3)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga PASSENGERS in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga have criticized the rise in fuel prices and the subsequent increase fares. From Bolgatanga to Navrongo, Taxi fares have gone up by 50 Gp. Drivers are now charging GH c 3, from the previous GH c 2.50. Commuters to Paga from Bolgatanga are paying GH c 4 from the old GH c 3.50 . At the Bolgatanga to Tamale station, the officer in charge, Mr. John Abulbire, popularly known as 'Capito' said they were retaining the old price of GH c 6 until new fares are announced on Monday by union executives. The fare to Bolgatanga to Bawku has shot up to GH c 4 from GH c 3 while taxi plying Bolgatanga taxi rank to the regional hospital on sunday were charging 80 pesewas up from 60 pesewas, although a driver said they were awaiting approved fares by the union on Monday morning. Long hauls travel operators such as O.A Travel and Tours and the Metro Mass Transport said they were yet to announced new far. Messrs Patrick Mensah and Paul Agyei of O.A Travel and Tours and the Metro Mass Transport respectively in an interview said until managements of the two separates organization meet to arrive at new fares, their old prices remains in force. O.A Travel and Tours charges GH c 35 (ordinary) and GH c 50 (executive) to Accra while Metro Mass Transport fares to Tamale, Kumasi, and Accra remains GH c 6, GH c 18 and GH c 25 respectively. Hovever some commenters who spoke to the DAILY GRAPHIC said they were unhappy at the hike in fares. "Many people rely entirely on public transport to get around. Big increases in fares will be a massive blow, particularly to those who commute to and from work.”said Amadu Abdulai, a commuter heading to Bawku from Bolgatanga . The Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Mr Godfried Abugbire in an interview said executives will be meeting to arrive at approved fares in order to bring to rest the friction between drivers and passengers. End