GPRTU warns of possible transport fare increase as fuel prices surge

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has said that transport fares may soon be increased if fuel prices continue to rise.

The union says the sustained hike in fuel costs and the high price of spare parts are making operations unbearable for commercial drivers.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said the union has been monitoring fuel price movements since the last 15% fare reduction and may be forced to respond. “When we were asked to reduce our transport fare by 15%, the fuel price was around GH¢12.59 for diesel and GH¢11.34 for petrol,” he explained. “We expected stability, but prices have kept going up, and the cost of spare parts remains high.”

Mr. Amoah stated that the GPRTU could no longer absorb the additional costs if fuel prices increase in the next pricing window. “We can’t continue to operate at a loss. If the fuel prices go up again, we’ll have to review our fares so drivers can stay in business and continue serving passengers,” he emphasised.

He expressed frustration with spare parts dealers for refusing to reduce their prices despite repeated appeals. “We’ve called on them several times to lower their prices, but nothing has changed. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for drivers to survive,” he lamented.

The GPRTU is therefore urging the government to intervene and stabilise fuel prices to prevent a fare adjustment. “We are appealing to the government to find a way to keep fuel prices stable. But if prices go up again, there’s nothing we can do but increase transport fares,” Mr. Amoah stated.

Meanwhile, fuel prices in Ghana have continued to rise following the depreciation of the Ghana cedi. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) such as GOIL have begun adjusting their pump prices, with others expected to follow suit.

According to the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), the cedi’s depreciation from GH¢11.20 to GH¢12.07 against the US dollar — representing a 7.76% drop — has been the main driver of the recent hikes. COPEC noted that although global crude prices have slightly fallen — petrol by 2.52%, diesel by 4.12%, and LPG by 2.69% — the local currency’s weakness has negated these reductions.

The GPRTU maintains that if the government fails to act swiftly, commuters should brace themselves for another round of transport fare increases in the coming weeks.