Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has called on the leadership and
members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and
other transport operators to collaborate with government as it works
to transform Ghana’s public transport system.
According to Dr Bawumia, ongoing efforts to infuse digitalization into
the transport sector such as the streamlining of the processes for
Driver’s Licence acquisition, vehicle registration, insurance renewal,
the soon-to-be rolled-out Tap n Go ride-hailing system for taxis as
well as the introduction of Electric Buses into the public transport
sector are all designed to make their operations more cost effective
and profitable.
Dr Bawumia, who was speaking at the 11th Quadrennial Delegates
Conference of the GPRTU on Thursday, 4th July, 2024 at Gomoa
Fetteh in the Central Region, therefore urged owners and operators
in the transport sector to work hand in hand with Government to
ensure the success of these initiatives,
“As transport operators, your role is very crucial to our national
development influencing economic growth, social cohesion, and the
overall quality of life.
“Government is therefore keen to support development within the
transport sector to ensure that your operations deliver immediate
benefits and for long-term sustainable development,” he pledged.
Electric Vehicles
Speaking on the theme for the conference: “Transitioning from fossil
fuels to electric vehicles for a cleaner environment: The Role of
Transport Unions for a Digital Economy”, Vice President Bawumia
disclosed that Government is facilitating the purchase of about 100
Electric buses, to be run by the GPRTU, by the end of the year.
Construction of hybrid (solar and conventional electricity) Charging
Stations for the batteries of these buses and other electric vehicles
will start soon, with the aim of moving public transport away from
fossil fuels to renewables.
“Two of the major components in transport cost build up is the cost
of fuel and spare parts. To address this, we have resolved to move
towards the use of Electric Vehicles (EV) in public transport. EVs do
not use fuel, and they use very spare parts; the main spare part is the
battery, and that can last for years.
“We will work with you (transport operators) to renew your fleets
and acquire Electric Vehicles. With the Tap n’ Go digital payment
system for public transport that I launched recently, banks will have
the assurance that they can track revenues and ensure payment of
their loans, so they will be more willing to lend to operators to
acquire Electric Vehicles,” he maintained.
“As we seek to give effect to the incentives and make progress with
the implementation of the EV Policy, transport operators will take
advantage of the incentives to renew their fleet for efficient and
comfortable public transport services to the general public,” he
noted.
Taxis
With the rapid advancements in technology, the role of transport
operators in the modern-day transport sector is more complex and
demanding, with an attendant effect on revenues, Dr Bawumia
noted. Government has therefore moved to meet the challenge of
decreased sales for taxi drivers due to the advent of technology.
“We met with the taxi drivers, and after listening to their concerns
about low sales arising from increasing competition from ride-hailing
services like Uber, we have designed a ride-hailing service for taxis
that will operate like the other ride-hailing services, but this time
specifically for taxis. It is ready now, and in we will launch it in a
month or so, likely on August 12th”, he disclosed.
Expressing appreciation for the vital role played by transport
operators in the country’s development, Dr Bawumia pledged
Government’s commitment to providing a conducive, collaborative
environment for their business to thrive.
“Transport Operators do not just transport goods, people, and
services but they are also a key part of the wellbeing of our society.
Therefore as a government, we have an obligation and indeed a
collective responsibility to ensure that public transport operators in
the digital economy are not compromised.
“As a government, we remain committed to creating an enabling
environment and innovative solutions that will ensure that the
majority of members of the various transport unions benefit from
the dividends of the digital economy. And we shall do so by working
closely with you.
“As we look towards the future, it is also vital that we embrace
diversity and work towards the formalisation of transport operations
in the country. The transport sector should be a beacon of
opportunity for all, regardless of what Union you belong to.
“The GPRTU is the largest transport organisation in Ghana and as
such offer the largest employment to many unemployed Ghanaians.
It is therefore my expectation that GPRTU will be the leaders of
change in the sector pulling other smaller unions along the path of
reforms.”
