Ghana: Transport Operators Suspend Planned 20% Fares Increment

Transport Operators in the Republic of Ghana have suspended a planned 20% increase in fares which was expected to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025.

The decision to suspend it follows an emergency meeting on Wednesday between transport operators and the Ministry of Transport, citing lack of broader consultation before the announcement of the proposed increase.

A statement issued by Mr Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, National Vice Chairman, and Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, General Secretary of Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, stated that they had agreed to maintain current transport fares.

Many Ghanaians questioned the planned quantum jump in transport fares when fuel prices have been a bit lower in recent times compared to same period last year.

The operators said they had not experienced a corresponding reduction in the cost of spare parts and other goods and services following an earlier 15% fare reduction implemented on May 21, 2025.

They further argued that a newly introduced GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy has pushed fuel prices up by approximately 8%, directly impacting operational costs for drivers and transport companies.

Lastly, they mentioned worsening road conditions across the country, resulting in increased maintenance costs, further compounding the financial strain on operators.

The 20% increase will apply to all categories of public transport, including shared taxis, intra-city “trotro” services, long-distance intercity transport, and haulage.

“All commercial transport operators and companies are to comply with the new fares and visibly post them at their loading terminals,” the Council said.

The Council appealed to commuters, transport operators, and the general public to cooperate for the smooth implementation of the revised fares.

Reacting to the issue, the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC) questioned the matrices that informed any such drastic upward reviews of public transport fares.

The Executive Director of COPEC, Mr Duncan Amoah, rejected the argument by the transporters that the recent introduction of GH¢1 levy on a litre of petroleum products had pushed fuel prices upwards.

“The overall effect of the new One Ghana levy is still not sufficient to wipe out the sustained reductions recorded at the pumps over the past couple of months.

“For the avoidance of doubt, fuel prices which used to sell for around GH¢15/litre as of January 2025, when it declined to around GH¢11 and GH¢12/litre saw a section of drivers who were magnanimous in reducing transport fares by some 15%, though a cross section of other driver unions did not reduce their fares and had to be literally chased by the local assemblies.

“On the balance of odds or numbers, the pricing levels as of today are still not anywhere near the January prices…”

Touching on government attempts to reintroduce the road toll systems, Mr Amoah noted that although the tolls system would have some monetary impact on them, it is justification for any increment in transport fares as the effects would not only be felt by the already suffering masses but would further diffuse genuine outcry by the people for the cost of goods and services to be reduced across all sectors to bring some relief.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com