The leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has assured the public that no increase in public transport fares has been approved, as consultations with the Ministry of Transport over the 2026 fare review continue.
The two transport bodies said formal discussions on a possible adjustment to public transport fares began on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a meeting with the Minister for Transport and his technical team in Accra.
According to the unions, the meeting formed part of the long-standing engagement between government and transport operators aimed at ensuring that public transportation remains safe, reliable and affordable while also taking into account the rising operational costs faced by transport providers.
During the meeting, the GPRTU and GRTCC presented a proposal for an upward review of public transport fares.
Government, however, provided an update on prevailing macroeconomic conditions and measures being implemented to stabilise the cedi. The unions said particular attention was also given to the government’s GH¢2.00-per-litre intervention on diesel prices, which was introduced as a measure to cushion transport operators and passengers.
The transport operators acknowledged the importance of the diesel price intervention but maintained that its actual impact on their operating costs must be assessed alongside their proposed fare adjustment before a final decision can be reached.
The unions stressed that no decision has been taken to increase public transport fares following the initial engagement with the Transport Ministry.
To facilitate a detailed assessment, a joint team comprising representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the GPRTU and the GRTCC has been established.
The team will review the various cost components involved in commercial road transport operations and assess the extent to which the government’s fuel price intervention has affected the overall cost of providing public transport services.
The outcome of the exercise will form the basis for further discussions and the eventual determination of whether public transport fares should be adjusted.
In the meantime, the GPRTU and GRTCC have directed drivers, station masters and transport owners to continue charging the existing approved fares across the country until an official decision is announced.
The unions urged their members to comply with the directive and cautioned against independently increasing fares while negotiations with the government are still ongoing.
They also appealed to passengers to remain calm and cooperate with transport operators as the review process continues.
The two organisations said they remain committed to ensuring that the final outcome of the fare review takes into consideration the interests of both transport operators and the travelling public.
Until the joint review is completed and a formal announcement is made, passengers should continue to pay the current approved fares and report any unauthorised increases to the appropriate transport authorities.
By 1960news.com
