20% Transport Fare Increase Suspended

By Hlordzie Mawuena Jessica On Aug 8, 2025

The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has suspended its earlier plan to increase public transport fares by 20%, which should have taken effect today.

This decision came after a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The fare hike, which was supposed to start on today, Friday, August 8, 2025, faced strong public criticism. Many people expressed concern that there had been no proper consultation with key stakeholders before announcing the increase. Due to the backlash, the GRTCC and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), after a joint meeting, decided to put the plan on hold.

According to a report by Channel One News, in a joint statement released on Thursday, August 7, 2025, and signed by Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, National Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, and Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, General Secretary of the GRTCC, the transport unions said the proposed increment was suspended because there had not been enough discussions with all parties involved.

“Transport Operators have agreed to suspend the 20% increase in public transport fares due to the lack of broader consultations on the decision,” the statement said.

The unions also instructed all transport operators to continue enforcing the existing 15% fare reduction, which has been in place since May 24, 2025.

The proposed 20% increase would have affected shared taxis, trotro (intra-city minibuses), intercity buses, and haulage trucks. The announcement of the fare hike on Tuesday, August 5, shocked many Ghanaians, including members of the GPRTU itself.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on the same day, GPRTU’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Amoah, said the union had no idea about the decision and was surprised to see the press release from the GRTCC.

Mr. Amoah explained that all three bodies usually issue a joint statement when there is an official decision to increase or decrease fares.

He advised all transport operators to remain calm and not to increase fares on their own.