The Alliance of Transport Operators has threatened to withdraw commercial transport services indefinitely if authorities fail to approve a proposed 30% increase in lorry fares, citing rising operational costs and escalating prices of vehicle spare parts.
The group issued the warning in a press release dated September 9, 2026, in response to comments attributed to Mr. Takyi Addo, the Public Relations Officer of spare parts dealers in Accra, who reportedly criticised drivers over the proposed fare adjustment.
According to the Alliance, figures cited by Mr. Addo in his statement do not accurately reflect the current cost of maintaining and operating commercial vehicles.
The transport operators have therefore called on him to retract his claims and apologise to commercial drivers immediately.
The Alliance said commercial transport operators are facing significant increases in the cost of running their businesses, making the proposed fare adjustment necessary to sustain operations.
Among the cost pressures cited by the group are high fuel prices, increased Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) charges, higher vehicle insurance premiums and rising penalty charges.
The operators also pointed to increases in daily car park ticket charges as well as the cost of spare parts, which they said have placed additional financial pressure on drivers and vehicle owners.
They argued that the cumulative effect of these increases has made it increasingly difficult for commercial drivers to maintain their vehicles while keeping fares at existing levels.
To support its position, the Alliance provided examples of selected spare parts whose prices, it said, have increased between 2024 and 2026.
According to the group, the price of a Toyota Yaris engine and gearbox has risen from GH¢12,000 in 2024 to GH¢25,000 in 2026.
It further stated that the cost of a Sprinter engine and gearbox has increased from GH¢25,000 to GH¢45,000 over the same period.
Other examples cited include a taxi water tank, whose price the Alliance said has increased from GH¢600 to GH¢1,200, while car doors for Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa taxis have reportedly risen from GH¢3,000 to GH¢6,000.
The transport operators maintained that such increases have substantially raised vehicle maintenance and repair costs.
The Alliance warned that failure to increase lorry fares could force its members to take industrial action.
“If the lorry fare is not increased immediately, we will embark on a strike until further notice,” the group stated.
Such an action could affect commuters who rely heavily on commercial vehicles for daily transportation, particularly in major urban centres.
The Alliance did not state a specific date for the proposed strike but indicated that the action would continue until further notice if its demand for an immediate fare increase is not addressed.
The development is likely to intensify discussions among transport operators, spare parts dealers, commuters and relevant authorities over the appropriate level of public transport fares in the face of rising vehicle operating and maintenance costs.
By 1960news.com
