Relief for passengers as transport operators drop planned fare hike
Transport operators have suspended the proposed 20 per cent increment in public transport fares which was to take effect today, Friday, August 8.
The suspension follows a meeting with the Ministry of Transport on August 6, 2025.
The decision was taken due to a lack of broader consultations on the matter. Transport operators have, therefore, decided to maintain the existing 15 per cent reduction in public transport fares, which was introduced on May 24, 2025.
Statement
The agreement was contained in a statement jointly signed by the National Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC, Ghana, Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, and the General Secretary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah.
Transport operators and the public have been urged to ensure compliance with the 15 per cent reduction.
“Transport operators have therefore agreed to maintain the implementation of the 15 per cent reduction in public transport fares, which took effect on May 24, 2025,” the statement said. It added that the cooperation of transport operators and the public was crucial in implementing the decision.
GRTCC announcement
The GRTCC had earlier announced, on August 5, an increase in public transport fares by 20 per cent, effective Friday, August 8.
In a statement jointly signed by the General Secretary of the Council, Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, and the Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Tanko, the Council explained that the increment was necessary due to the non-corresponding reduction in the cost of spare parts, goods and services after the reduction of transport fares by 15 per cent on May 21 this year.
It also explained that the move was to “accommodate for the increase in operational costs after the introduction of GH₵1 per litre levy, that is, about 8 per cent increase in fuel cost.
“To accommodate for the increase in maintenance cost as a result of the deplorable roads across the country,” the statement added.
GPRTU
Meanwhile, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) dissociated itself from the fare hike announcement.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, the Union clarified that it was not involved in the decision-making process that led to the fare increase.
According to the GPRTU, although discussions had taken place under the Administrative Arrangement on Public Transport Fares, which included consultations with some transport unions, the Union did not endorse the fare adjustment.
It stated that any future fare reviews must be subject to collective agreement among all stakeholders, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and consensus-driven approach to fare adjustments.
COPEC
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) also strongly rejected the proposed fare increase, describing it as unjustified and ill-timed.
According to COPEC, the 20 per cent hike came at an inopportune moment, given the economic challenges Ghanaians were grappling with.
The organisation called on transport unions to revisit and reconsider their decision, stressing the need to provide relief to the commuting public, who were already shouldering a significant burden.
