Inside a trotro
Public transport fares across the country are set to increase by 20 percent effective Friday, August 8, 2025, the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has announced.
In a press release dated August 5, 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% fare reduction was implemented on May 21, 2025.
The fare increase will apply to shared taxis, intra-city (trotro) services, intercity (long-distance) travel, and haulage and cargo transport.
“We kindly request all commercial transport operators and companies to comply with the new fares and display them at their loading terminals,” the statement, jointly signed by Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah, General Secretary, and Alhaji Tanko, Acting National Chairman of the Road Transport Operators, said.
COPEC/GPRTU Opposition
However, the announcement has been met with sharp opposition from the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) and some major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), who insist that no such consensus has been reached on any fare increment.
Premature
In a counter statement, Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, dismissed the 20% hike as unjustifiable, arguing that prevailing fuel and spare parts prices do not warrant such a drastic upward review.
“Fuel prices dropped significantly between January and May 2025, from GH¢15 per litre to about GH¢11 – 12. Some unions even reduced fares by 15% voluntarily. The new GH¢1.00 levy cannot on its own reverse all those gains or justify this 20% increment,” COPEC stated.
Mr. Amoah further warned that the fare adjustment, if implemented without broader consultation, would disproportionately burden low-income commuters who rely heavily on public transport.
“We find it disturbing that a segment of the transport sector is attempting to increase fares without consensus. The largest transport unions have already indicated they are not part of this decision,” he added.
According to COPEC, its checks and the media reports also indicate that the GPRTU, which is one of the country’s largest transport unions, has not endorsed the proposed fare hike.
It added that some union leaders expressed surprise at the GRTCC’s announcement and called for further dialogue before any changes are made.
“The economic climate is tough for both drivers and passengers. We need to strike a balance and ensure decisions are well grounded, not arbitrary,” a union source reportedly told COPEC.
Road Toll Concerns
COPEC’s statement also referenced government’s attempts to reintroduce road tolls, suggesting that such policy changes, which could affect drivers’ expenses, require adequate stakeholder engagement before forming part of any fare negotiations.
“It is imperative to note that an intention which has not yet been enforced cannot and should not form the basis of any increment in transport fares,” Mr. Amoah cautioned.
By Ernest Kofi Adu