Koforidua, May 11, GNA- Taxi drivers in the New Juaben Municipality, have increased their fares, despite a directive form the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) that fares should remain the same after the announcement of new petroleum prices.

A survey conducted in the Municipality on Monday by the Ghana News Agency(GNA), indicated that, the taxi drivers plying various routes in the New Juaben Municipality, had increased their fares by 25 per cent. However the fares for long distance buses had not changed.

For instance, taxis from the market square taxi-rank to the Ministries, Galloway, old estate, and SSNIT flats-Akwadum Road, had been increased from 2,000 cedis to 2,5000 cedis.

Some of the drivers who spoke to the GNA explained that, since the introduction of the new petroleum prices it has become difficult for them to make their daily sales when they charge the old fares, hence the increment.

When the Eastern Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Mr Alhassan Salifu was contacted, he explained that the increment of fares had not been sanctioned by the GPRTU because the Road Transport Coordinating Council had issued a directive to all transport unions not to increase their fares.

According to him, all the GPRTU station vehicles such as the Urvan and Mini-buses had not increased their fares in accordance with the directive.