On Saturday, May 30, it was widely reported that transport fares will be increased by 20% effective Tuesday, June 2.

This was after the National Deputy Public Relations Office of GPRTU, Samuel Amoah, indicated that the increase in fares is long overdue while speaking with MyJoyonline news on Saturday, May 30.

He indicated that his outfit had earlier delayed increasing transport fares with hopes of improved economic conditions; however, with the recent increase in fuel prices in the last pricing window, it had become necessary.

However, in response to this, the country’s largest umbrella organisation for commercial road transport operators, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), in a collaborative rejoinder with the Ghana Road Transport Cordinating Council (GRTCC) issued today, Tuesday, June 1, has disassociated itself from the proposed 20% increase, urging the public to treat it "with the contempt it deserves."

The Executives of the Union called the proposed increase illegal, citing that it hadn’t been approved by the appropriate authorities.

"We wish to inform the general public that the Executives of the Road Transport Operators have not engaged the Ministry in any transport fare upward adjustment. The decision by the supposed group is illegal as it has not gone through the fare adjustment protocol and procedure agreed between the Ministry of Transport and the Road Transport Operators," the statement read.

Accordingly, all road transport operators, unions, associations, drivers, vehicle owners, loading point managers and allied stakeholders have been directed to refrain from implementing any unilateral fare adjustments pending the outcome of the next official pricing window.

"We are monitoring the next pricing window and should there be the need for any fare adjustment, the public will be duly notified," the statement added.

Motives behind proposed increase earlier

According to Samuel Amoah, the 20% upward adjustment has become necessary due to the rising cost of fuel, linked to the intensified Middle East crisis, and increases in maintenance costs, engine oil prices, and other spare parts.

Mr Amoah added that several engagements had been held with government officials over the matter.

“There have been a series of indoor meetings to discuss this increment, but they kept asking us to hold on because of the promises and expectations,” he explained.

“The sustained high cost of fuel and spare parts has made it necessary and legitimate to review fares. The prices of tyres, engine oil, batteries and other essential components have increased considerably over the past months,” the operators said.

He noted that the adjustment would help cushion drivers and vehicle owners against rising operational costs while ensuring the continued provision of transport services.

To ensure compliance, the union said monitoring teams would work alongside the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service at major transport terminals across the country.

“Our task force, working with the Police MTTD, will monitor compliance at major stations. Anyone found overcharging will face sanctions,” the union warned.

The last time the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) officially increased transport fares was in October 2025, when fares went up by about 20% nationwide due to rising fuel prices and spare parts costs.

Amid stakeholders and some experts' predictions, the Middle East crisis at the time was indicated to affect fuel prices in Ghana, and given the country’s dependence on the Arabs states for about 20% of its fuel, commuters will bear the cost.

Speaking on the fares, GPRTU’s Industrial Relations Officer, Abass Imoro, indicated that transport fares may increase if fuel prices go up in the next pricing window.

He said the review will be to cope with rising operational expenses.

“You know we work for profit, and for some time now prices have remained the same. Some of our people even went out of their way to increase their prices, but we were able to stop them. This indicates that they are looking for a change in the prices of fares,” he explained while speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV.