By Issah Olegor
Commuters across Ghana will face higher transportation costs from Friday, August 8, 2025, as Road Transport Operators announce, a nationwide 20 percent increase in public transport fares.
The decision, formally communicated in a press release signed by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council, affects shared taxis, intra-city minibuses (trotro), intercity buses, and haulage services.
According to the operators, the fare hike is in line with the Administrative Arrangement on Public Transport Fares, which provides a framework for periodic adjustments in response to operational cost changes.
This marks the first major upward adjustment since May 21, 2025, when transport fares were reduced by 15 percent following government interventions.
Rising Costs Fuel Increase
The transport operators say the new increment is necessary for three main reasons.
Firstly, despite the May fare reduction, prices of spare parts, goods, and services have not fallen in corresponding fashion, leaving operators under financial pressure.
Secondly, the introduction of a GH¢1.00 per litre fuel levy has added to operational costs, contributing to an estimated 8 percent rise in fuel prices. For commercial drivers, fuel remains the single largest expense in daily operations.
Thirdly, operators point to deteriorating road conditions nationwide, which have increased vehicle maintenance costs.
Poor road networks, they argue, shorten the lifespan of vehicles and demand more frequent repairs, further eating into profit margins.
Industry-Wide Impact
The 20 percent fare hike will apply uniformly to all categories of commercial road transport.
This includes shared taxi services in urban centres, trotro operations within cities, long-distance intercity buses, and goods haulage.
Transport unions have directed all commercial drivers and companies to implement the new fares from Friday without exception.
Operators have also been instructed to clearly display the updated fare charts at all loading terminals to ensure transparency.
Public Appeal for Cooperation
In the joint statement, signed by General Secretary Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah and Acting National Chairman Alhaji Tanko, the Road Transport Operators appealed to commuters and the public to cooperate during the implementation period.
They also urged all drivers to comply fully to avoid disputes at terminals.
