A public transport station
The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has suspended the planned 20 percent increase in public transport fares following a meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The decision to halt the fare adjustment comes amid widespread public outcry and concerns about the lack of adequate stakeholder consultations ahead of the proposed implementation.
On Tuesday, August 5, Road Transport Operators announced that fares for public transport services, including shared taxis, intra-city minibuses (trotros), intercity coaches, and haulage vehicles, would be increased by 20 percent effective Friday, August 8, 2025.
The GRTCC said the adjustment was necessitated by rising operational costs, including the introduction of a GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy, increased maintenance costs due to poor road conditions, and what they described as a lack of corresponding price reductions in spare parts and services after a 15 percent fare reduction was implemented on May 21, 2025.
However, the move sparked criticism from passengers and civil society groups who argued that the fare hike lacked transparency and failed to consider the economic strain on commuters.
In a press release issued on Thursday, August 7, the GRTCC announced the suspension of the proposed hike, citing the need for broader consultation and consensus-building.
“Transport Operators have agreed to suspend the purported 20% increment in public transport fares as a result of the lack of broader consultations on the decision,” the statement read.
The Council further directed all operators to continue implementing the existing 15% fare reduction, which has been in effect since May 24, 2025, as part of a government-led intervention to ease the cost of living.
By Ernest Kofi Adu