The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and allied transport operators have announced plans to increase transport fares by 20 percent nationwide, effective June 2, 2026.
The proposed adjustment will affect intra-city trotro services, inter-city transport and shared taxi operations across the country.
According to the transport unions, the fare increase has become necessary due to the persistent rise in fuel prices and the growing cost of vehicle maintenance, including tyres, batteries, engine oil and other essential spare parts.
The operators explained that although the adjustment should have been implemented earlier, they delayed it in anticipation of a reduction in fuel prices following assurances from government officials.
“This increment should have come long ago, but we held on because when the government came in, the promise was that prices were going to go down,” National Deputy PRO of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, told MyJoyOnline on Saturday, May 30.
“Looking at where prices are now, if we don't come up with this increment, it will affect our operations. Even the drivers are complaining seriously.”
The union added that several meetings had been held with government officials and stakeholders in an effort to find alternatives before arriving at the decision to increase fares.
“There has been a series of indoor meetings trying to come up with solutions regarding this increment, but they kept asking us to hold on because of the promise that prices would come down,” the representative noted.
The GPRTU said updated fare schedules would be displayed at lorry parks and transport terminals across the country before the implementation date.
Passengers have been advised to familiarize themselves with the approved fare charts and ensure they pay only the officially approved rates.
Transport operators also cautioned drivers, conductors and station managers against charging fares above the approved levels.
To ensure compliance, the unions said monitoring teams would be deployed at major transport terminals in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
“Our task force, working with Police MTTD, will monitor compliance at major stations. Anyone found overcharging will face sanctions,” the association stated.
While acknowledging the economic difficulties facing many Ghanaians, the transport unions admitted that the increase would place an additional burden on commuters.
However, they maintained that the decision was taken only after exhausting all available alternatives and appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation when the new fares take effect.