Passengers using commercial public transport services in Ghana will pay higher fares from Saturday, September 26, after transport operators and the government agreed on an 8% increase.
The new rates follow a review of the cost of running public transport, including expenses related to fuel, vehicle maintenance and spare parts.
The Ministry of Transport held a series of meetings with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) to determine the adjustment.
The unions had pushed for higher fares as operating costs increased, prompting the government to assess the financial pressures facing operators alongside the effect of fare increases on commuters.
As part of the discussions, the government proposed a GH¢2 per litre intervention on diesel to help reduce the pressure on transport operators.
A joint committee made up of officials from the Ministry of Transport, GPRTU and GRTCC was subsequently tasked with examining the various cost components and recommending an adjustment.
The agreed 8% increase will apply to trotros, shared taxis and other commercial passenger transport services covered by the fare structure.
The development brings the consultations to an end after the unions had earlier warned drivers not to impose unapproved increases on passengers.
Commuters are therefore expected to begin paying the revised fares from September 26, in line with the rates agreed by the stakeholders.
