General News of Wednesday, 5 October 2005

Source: GNA

Transport fares go up in Kumasi

Kumasi, Oct 05, GNA - Commercial drivers in the Kumasi Metropolis have increased their fares as a result of the upward adjustment of fuel prices as announced by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Monday. Passengers had to struggle with drivers initially on Tuesday morning but eventually had no option but to pay the new prices. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Onwona Agyemang, a 47-year-old trader, said drivers should not capitalize on the increase and charge fares anyhow.

He appealed to the GPRTU to come out with new fares immediately to avoid the problem of being cheated by drivers.

Mrs Ernestina Aboagyewaa, a trader, said she was not happy about the increase because it would automatically affect the prices of other commodities in the market.

Mr Owusu Aduomi, a driver, said the increase was necessary in view of the adjustment in fuel prices and called on passengers to bear with them.