GRTCC suspends planned 20% transport fare increase

Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has suspended its planned 20 percent increase in public transport fares, which was expected to take effect on Friday, August 8, 2025.

The suspension was agreed upon during a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Transport and leaders of major road transport unions on Wednesday, August 6. The meeting was called by the Ministry following public outcry over the lack of broader stakeholder consultations before the fare hike announcement.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Ministry confirmed that the GRTCC and other transport operators had agreed to halt the increment and instead maintain the current 15 percent reduction in fares, which has been in force since May 24, 2025. The statement said transport operators, following the meeting, had agreed to suspend the purported 20 percent increment in public transport fares as a result of the lack of broader consultations on the decision, and urged both operators and commuters to cooperate with the directive.

The intended fare adjustment had been announced earlier in the week by the GRTCC in collaboration with transport unions, in line with the Administrative Arrangement on Public Transport Fares. The Council explained that the fare adjustment had become necessary due to rising operational costs. It noted that the prices of spare parts, goods, and services have not decreased as anticipated, following a 15 percent fare reduction implemented on May 21, 2025.

The GRTCC outlined that despite the earlier reduction, transport operators reported no relief in the cost of spare parts, vehicle maintenance, and other related goods and services. They argued that sustained high prices, coupled with the rising cost of fuel, vehicle upkeep, and other operational inputs, had eroded the benefit of the previous fare cut, making it increasingly difficult to sustain services at current rates.

However, following Wednesday’s meeting, the planned increment was shelved. The Ministry assured that any future fare reviews would involve broad-based stakeholder consultations to ensure transparency and fairness.