Commuters across Ghana will begin paying higher fares for public transportation from Tuesday, June 2, 2026, following a 20 per cent increase announced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other commercial transport operators.
The fare adjustment, which covers intra-city trotro services, inter-city transport and shared taxi operations nationwide, was announced after consultations between transport unions, operators and other stakeholders.
According to the transport operators, the decision was driven by the continuous rise in fuel prices and the increasing cost of vehicle maintenance. They cited the sharp increase in the prices of tyres, batteries, engine oil and other essential spare parts as major factors affecting their operations.
Speaking to MyJoyOnline, the National Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said transport operators had delayed any fare review for months in anticipation of a reduction in fuel prices and other operating costs.
“This increment should have come long ago, but we held on because of the assurances that prices would come down. Looking at the current situation, if we do not adjust fares, it will negatively affect operations. Drivers are already struggling with the high cost of doing business,” he said.
Mr. Amoah revealed that several discussions had been held with government officials in an attempt to find alternative solutions before arriving at the decision to increase fares.
The transport unions stressed that the adjustment had become necessary due to the sustained high cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance, which they say has made it increasingly difficult for operators to maintain their vehicles and remain profitable.
While acknowledging the economic difficulties facing many Ghanaians, the operators said the increase was a last resort after exhausting all other options.
To ensure a smooth implementation, the GPRTU announced that updated fare schedules would be displayed at lorry stations and transport terminals across the country before the new rates take effect.
Passengers have been advised to familiarize themselves with the approved fare charts and pay only the officially sanctioned fares. At the same time, drivers, conductors and station managers have been warned against charging rates beyond those approved.
The transport unions said monitoring teams, working alongside the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, would be deployed to major transport terminals to enforce compliance.
“Our task force, together with the Police MTTD, will monitor compliance at major stations. Any operator found overcharging passengers will face sanctions,” the association stated.
The unions also renewed calls for government intervention to address the underlying factors driving transport costs. They urged authorities to review taxes and import duties on vehicle spare parts and implement measures aimed at stabilizing fuel prices.
According to the operators, such measures would help reduce operational expenses and ease the burden on both transport providers and commuters.
Despite the fare adjustment, the GPRTU and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation services across the country.
Source: joynews
