Transport Fares to Increase by 20% as Spare Parts Dealers Refuse to Lower Prices

• GRTCC has announced a 20 per cent increase in public transport fares effective Friday, August 8, 2025
• The increment affects shared taxis, trotro, intercity buses and haulage services nationwide
• The GRTCC cited increased operational costs and lack of spare parts price adjustments as reasons for the hike

The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has announced a 20 per cent increment in transport fares.

The new increment, which takes effect on Friday, August 8, 2025, covers shared taxis, intracity transport, locally known as trotro, intercity transport (long distance), and haulage.

According to a press release dated Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the new increment is in line with the GRTCC's administrative arrangement on public transport fares.

The GRTCC said it is taking this action due to the lack of corresponding adjustments in prices of spare parts, goods and services after the reduction of transport fares by 15 per cent on May 21, 2025.

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The council said it is increasing transport fares to accommodate the increase in its operational cost after the GH¢1.00 per litre added to the Amended Energy Sector Levy.

Aside from this, the transport union said the announced 20 per cent will accommodate the increase in maintenance costs as a result of deplorable roads.

"We kindly request all Commercial Transport Operators/Companies to comply with the new fares and post the same at their loading terminals. We further request all operators, commuters, and the general public to cooperate for the successful implementation of the new fares," the GRTCC statement read.

Read the GRTCC press statement below:

Transport fare increment in Ghana

In Ghana, transport fare adjustments are generally proposed by transport operators, often due to rising fuel costs and other operational expenses.

However, it is the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) that are officially tasked with negotiating and announcing fare changes.

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These two bodies are mandated to oversee and communicate any fare adjustments.

While they manage the process, the Ministry of Transport may also engage with them to address industry concerns and potentially influence the scale of the fare increases.

GPRTU earlier announced 15% transport fare reduction

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the GPRTU announced a 15 per cent reduction in transport fares to reflect the drop in fuel prices in Ghana.

Per the GPRTU directive, the reduction would take effect from Saturday, May 24, 2025.

However, the trotro drivers who spoke to a content creator have vowed to maintain their old transport fares.

GPRTU threatens strike over GH¢1 fuel levy

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported earlier that commercial transport operators threatened a nationwide strike over the increase in tax on petroleum products.

Abass Ibrahim Imoro, the Industrial Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, condemned the levy at a press conference held on June 5, 2025. The union warned that the increase could force drivers to implement a fare hike of up to 15%.

Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh