The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has renewed calls for a transparent and data-driven system for determining public transport fares, as transport operators prepare to implement a 20 per cent fare increase nationwide from June 2, 2026.
Executive Secretary of COPEC, Duncan Amoah, said the latest fare adjustment highlights the urgent need for a structured pricing formula that reflects actual operating costs and removes uncertainty from fare negotiations.
Speaking on Citi News Digest, Mr Amoah argued that while the increase may place an additional burden on commuters, transport operators have legitimate reasons for seeking a review of fares amid rising fuel prices, increasing spare parts costs, and other operational expenses.
According to him, transport operators had previously reduced fares when fuel prices declined and should not be denied the opportunity to adjust prices now that fuel costs have climbed back to previous levels.
He noted that many transport providers, including long-distance bus operators, have already revised their charges upward, making it difficult for members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other commercial transport operators to continue operating under older fare structures.
Although he described the 20 per cent increase as largely justifiable, Mr Amoah indicated that a 15 per cent adjustment would have been more appropriate. He, however, acknowledged that transport operators may have considered additional costs such as vehicle insurance, maintenance, and spare parts in arriving at the new rate.
The fare increase means that commuters paying GH¢100 for a journey could now pay about GH¢120, while a GH¢10 fare may rise to approximately GH¢12.
Beyond the immediate fare adjustment, COPEC is advocating a long-term solution that would establish a standard cost per passenger per kilometre. Mr Amoah explained that such a model would factor in both fixed and variable costs, creating a fair and predictable mechanism for setting transport fares.
He stressed that adopting a scientific formula would reduce recurring disputes between transport operators, regulators, and commuters, while ensuring greater transparency in future fare reviews.
Mr Amoah described the current system for determining transport fares as largely arbitrary and urged stakeholders to embrace a more evidence-based approach that reflects prevailing economic realities and protects the interests of both transport operators and the travelling public.
