Transport unions have threatened to increase transport fares by 20 percent nationwide beginning next Monday May 25 if government and sector regulators fail to intervene in what they describe as arbitrary fare hikes introduced by some VIP bus operators.
In a press release issued on May 20, 2026, the Regional Chairmen of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG), together with allied transport unions, expressed strong dissatisfaction over what they say is the unilateral adjustment of fares by certain VIP transport operators without broader stakeholder consultation.
According to the unions, the development has created growing tension and uncertainty within the transport industry, with many commercial drivers feeling unfairly treated amid worsening operational costs.
The group accused the operators of taking independent decisions that could destabilize the transport sector if immediate steps are not taken to ensure fairness for all categories of drivers and transport operators.
“We are by this release giving a one-week ultimatum to the Hon. Minister for Transport, the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and the National Chairman of C-DAG to immediately intervene and halt these arbitrary fare increases being imposed by VIP drivers and operators,” the statement said.
The unions argued that commercial drivers operating within cities and districts continue to struggle with the high cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, taxes, spare parts, and other operational expenses without any approved upward adjustment in transport fares.
They maintained that allowing one section of the transport sector to independently increase fares while others remain restricted creates inequality and frustration among drivers nationwide.
According to the statement, the silence of authorities on the matter is worsening the situation and creating confusion among commuters who depend on public transport daily.
The unions warned that failure by the Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders to act before Monday would leave them with no option but to implement a nationwide 20 percent fare increment across all routes operated by their members.
Despite the threat, the transport unions insisted they remain committed to lawful engagement and dialogue.
“We are law-abiding citizens and professionals who believe in dialogue and fairness, but we will not sit unconcerned while some operators are allowed to take unilateral decisions that affect the entire transport industry,” the statement added.
The unions further appealed to the Ministry of Transport and all relevant stakeholders to urgently engage transport operators to avert potential industrial unrest that could disrupt public transportation services across the country.
Below the the full press release
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
_20th May, 2026_
*DRIVERS UNION THREATENS 20% FARE INCREMENT BY MONDAY OVER UNILATERAL VIP PRICE HIKES.*
The Regional Chairmen of the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG), together with other transport unions across the country, wish to express our deep concern and dissatisfaction over the unilateral increment of transport fares by some VIP bus operators without proper consultation with stakeholders within the transport sector.
We are by this release giving a one-week ultimatum to the Hon. Minister for Transport, the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and the National Chairman of C-DAG to immediately intervene and halt these arbitrary fare increases being imposed by VIP drivers and operators.
It is unfair for one section of the transport sector to increase fares at will while commercial drivers operating within the cities and districts continue to bear the rising cost of fuel, spare parts, taxes, and vehicle maintenance without any corresponding adjustments.
The silence of the authorities on this matter is creating tension and confusion within the transport industry and among commuters across the country.
We therefore wish to state clearly that if nothing is done by Monday to address this issue and ensure fairness within the transport sector, drivers under our unions will implement a 20% increment in transport fares nationwide.
We are law-abiding citizens and professionals who believe in dialogue and fairness, but we will not sit unconcerned while some operators are allowed to take unilateral decisions that affect the entire transport industry.
We are calling on the Ministry of Transport and all relevant stakeholders to immediately engage transport unions to prevent any possible industrial unrest.
SIGNED…
Regional Chairmen
Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG)
And Allied Transport Unions.
Kwabena Joe Aka Akwadaa Nyame
Ashanti Regional Chairman
0245132673.
Kwesi Arhin
Central Regional Chairman
0242126365
Western Regional Chairman .
K. Boafo
0244739256
