The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) has suspended its proposed 20% increase in public transport fares following a meeting with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The reversal comes after intense public backlash and criticism over the lack of wider stakeholder consultation prior to the announcement.
Initially, on Tuesday, August 5, Road Transport Operators declared that transport fares across the country would go up by 20% effective Friday, August 8, 2025.
The hike, which was based on the Administrative Arrangement on Public Transport Fares, was expected to affect all categories of public transport — including shared taxis, intra-city “trotro” services, long-distance buses, and haulage trucks.
The proposed adjustment triggered significant concerns from commuters and civil society groups, who argued that such a move—without adequate engagement—was insensitive given the current economic pressures facing Ghanaians.
Responding to the feedback, the GRTCC, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 7, announced that it had agreed with the Ministry of Transport to suspend the fare increment.
“Transport Operators have agreed to suspend the purported 20% increment in public transport fares as a result of the lack of broader consultations on the decision,” the Council said.
In place of the suspended fare hike, all transport operators have now been directed to continue enforcing the existing 15% fare reduction that has been in effect since May 24, 2025. The GRTCC has urged all its members to comply with this directive in full, pending further discussions with stakeholders.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that future adjustments in transport fares are informed by transparent dialogue and inclusive consultation processes, taking into account the welfare of both operators and commuters.
