Accra, Dec 13, GNA - The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Saturday, expressed their gratitude to the government for providing the union with 150 buses, to enable them to provide efficient transport services across the country.

The buses, purchased under the government's Fleet Renewal Project, had been given on lease basis and would allow union members and other beneficiaries to pay within a stipulated 3 year period. Alhaji Yaw Manu, National Chairman, told journalists at a press conference that "the buses have come at the right time to enable the union to serve the public during the Christmas and election periods". He said the vehicles would also serve the transportation need of government and other state agencies, "We promise that the vehicles could be released to serve the government at any time they are needed". Alhaji Manu appealed to beneficiaries to ensure high maintenance standards and also make regular payments to ensure that others benefited.

In a related development, the union announced a 10 per cent reduction of fares for vehicles plying long distances while taxi and trotro fares had gone down by GH5p. The union said it had in consultation with the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council agreed on the said charges, adding that, "The union will sanction any driver who does not charge the stipulated fare".