The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has warned that public transport fares could be increased if the rising cost of fuel and other operational expenses continues to put pressure on commercial transport operators.
The union says it has proposed a **30% adjustment in transport fares** to the Ministry of Transport as it seeks to review the current fare structure.
Deputy Industrial and Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, **Samuel Amoah**, disclosed this in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, September 3.
According to him, the proposed adjustment has become necessary because of increases in fuel prices, spare parts, lubricants, insurance premiums and taxes, which have significantly raised the cost of running commercial vehicles.
Mr Amoah said the union had originally intended to implement a 30% fare increase in August but suspended the decision following an appeal by the government.
Although the government subsequently announced an intervention to absorb **GH¢2 per litre of diesel**, he said the measure had not sufficiently eased the financial burden on transport operators.
He explained that fuel prices remain high enough to make it difficult for drivers to continue operating at the existing fares without incurring losses.
> “If we don’t come out with any increment, the drivers will still be running at a loss,” he said.
Mr Amoah stressed that the 30% proposal should not be interpreted as a final decision, noting that the figure would be subject to negotiations between the union and the government.
He indicated that the proposed increase could be reduced depending on the outcome of the discussions and developments in fuel prices and other operating costs.
However, he maintained that **some adjustment to transport fares is likely** unless there is a significant reduction in fuel prices and other expenses incurred by operators.
> “It’s likely it might come down. But for the increment not to happen, they would have to reduce the fuel price and the other components before we decide not to increase the fares,” he said.
The proposed fare review is expected to attract significant attention from commuters, particularly amid concerns over the rising cost of living and the impact of higher transportation costs on household budgets.
