Commercial transport operators in the Ashanti region are reluctant to reduce lorry fares despite fuel prices seeing a decline at the pump stations.
The drivers say the exorbitant costs of spare parts and vehicle maintenance continue to influence the lorry fares.
Despite pressures from passengers for fare reduction, many commercial transport operators argue the current lorry fares are necessary to cover their increased expenses.
Chairman of the Tech-Aprade-Parkoso lorry station, Kwame Boakye, explains the high cost of spare parts influenced by high import duties does not warrant a price reduction.
“A car tire now costs 300 cedis, while a vulcanizer charges 50 cedis, which amounts to 350 cedis in expenses. Mechanics used to take 20 cedis for taking a tire off your car, but now they charge 50 cedis,” he said.
A litre of petrol is selling GH₵12.55 – a one-cedi reduction at some pump stations, while a litre of diesel goes for GH₵13.27. This represents a 4.18 percent drop, indicating a 58 pesewas reduction from the previous price.
Chairman for Tech – Sofoline- Abuakwa lorry station, Master Red says although the fuel prices have been reduced, the drivers are not ready to reduce the fares because the deducted amount is insignificant.
“If the drivers choose to lower the fares, it won’t be feasible because the decrease is too minimal,” he said.
For many of these drivers, the country continues to endure the economic difficulties despite inflation on some commodities dropping.
“The cost of living is really high these days. Everything is expensive now. You can’t even go to the magazine because of the prices there,” Theophilus Antwi, another driver said.
Some of the transport operators however say they will comply with adjustments that would be announced by the regulatory body.