Commuters across Ghana will begin paying more for public transport from Tuesday, June 2, 2026, after commercial transport operators announced a 20 per cent upward adjustment in fares.
The new tariffs, announced on Friday, May 29, by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) together with allied transport groups, affect all major transport services, including intra-city trotro operations, inter-city buses, and shared taxis.
The operators say the decision became necessary due to persistent increases in fuel prices and the rising cost of essential vehicle maintenance materials such as tyres, batteries, engine oil, and spare parts, which have significantly raised operating expenses.
Speaking to MyJoyOnline on Saturday, May 30, the National Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, said drivers and vehicle owners have been under increasing financial strain, making fare adjustments unavoidable.
He explained that transport operators had initially delayed the increment in anticipation of a possible reduction in fuel prices, but worsening economic conditions had forced their hand.
“This increment should have come long ago…but we held on because of the expectation that prices would go down. Looking at where things are now, if we don’t adjust, it will affect operations seriously,” he said.
Mr Amoah added that repeated consultations were held among transport stakeholders, but the continued rise in input costs made it impossible to maintain existing fares without affecting service delivery.
According to the GPRTU and other transport unions, the cost of fuel and spare parts has remained high for months, placing pressure on operators and reducing their ability to maintain vehicles and remain in business.
The unions said the new fares are intended to help stabilise operations while ensuring continued transport services nationwide.
As part of implementation measures, updated fare charts are expected to be displayed at all lorry stations and terminals ahead of the effective date.
Passengers have been urged to rely strictly on approved fare lists to avoid overcharging, while transport operators have been warned against charging above the sanctioned rates.
The unions said enforcement teams, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, will be deployed to monitor compliance at major transport hubs.
“We will not tolerate overcharging. Our task force together with MTTD will ensure strict compliance,” the unions cautioned.
While acknowledging the financial burden the increase places on commuters, the transport operators said the decision was taken as a last resort after exhausting all other options.
They have appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation as the new fares take effect.
The unions also renewed calls on government to intervene by reviewing taxes on spare parts and introducing measures to stabilise fuel prices, arguing that such steps would help ease pressure on both transport operators and passengers.
The fare adjustment is expected to ripple across the economy, potentially affecting household budgets, transportation costs, and the prices of goods and services nationwide.
