No fare cuts for Uber, Bolt, Yango users – Online Drivers Union

Ride-hailing app users should not expect lower fares soon. This is due to the recent rise in the cedi and falling fuel prices.

The Ghana Online Drivers Union stated they were not consulted. The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) decided on a 15% fare reduction for public transport. Francis Tengey, President of the Ghana Online Drivers Union, explained that ride-hailing services are excluded from this decision.

Tengey said, “What GPRTU did does not include us.” He noted that their union is not recognized by GPRTU or the Trade Union. They have applied for affiliation with TUC since 2021 but have not received accreditation.

He added, “Uber, Bolt, and Yango do not know GPRTU.” The drivers' representatives were absent from meetings between GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport. Therefore, customers cannot benefit from the fare reduction.

Tengey believes formal recognition would help engage directly with ride-hailing platforms. This would ensure passengers benefit from favorable economic trends. He urged the government to regulate the sector and recognize their union.

Consumer advocacy group CUTS International is also calling for action. They want the government to ensure Ghanaians benefit from fuel price reductions. The group suggests empowering local assemblies to sanction drivers who ignore fare cuts announced by GPRTU. They argue that transport operators should not short-change commuters during improving economic conditions.