The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has stated that any changes to transport fares will be evaluated when circumstances allow, even as there is increasing pressure on operators to lower fares in accordance with the recent decreases in fuel prices.
This stance from the union arises amidst renewed appeals from energy sector think tanks and industry analysts for transport operators to transfer the savings from reduced pump prices to passengers.
Although fuel prices have decreased in the latest pricing period, GPRTU asserts that the overall cost structure of transport operations has not significantly altered.
The union, along with several commercial drivers, points out that essential operational inputs such as vehicle maintenance, spare parts, tyres, lubricants, and financing costs remain high, which restricts the immediate potential for fare reductions.
These cost pressures, they argue, continue to burden operators despite the relief provided by lower fuel prices.
Abass Imoro, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, emphasises that the union has a history of responding to favourable cost conditions and reiterates that fares will be reviewed promptly once there is adequate evidence of sustained reductions across key cost components.
He references the fare adjustment in May 2025, when transport fares were reduced by 15 percent following a significant improvement in operating conditions, including decreases in fuel prices, as proof of their readiness to act when the situation permits.
“The last year 15% [transport fare reduction], nobody forced us. We saw the need of everybody. The government came up trying to make Ghana laugh once again and we also joined that train that yes, we have to make sure we also give up the best that we could.
“Now there has been another reduction [in fuel prices]. All we are saying is if the need arises that we should decrease lorry fare further, we will do that without hesitating. We are talking about spare parts which have never been reduced.
“You see, these are some of the things. As we talk now, I am just coming from services. I went and bought oil. Last year, the oil S5 W30, which I have been buying at GH¢600 for 5 liters, is the same GH¢600.
“We are surprised the dollar has been decreased and some of these things that we thought it is because of the dollar, no, it is not because of the dollar. The prices are still the same as it was,” Abass Imoro said in an interview with Citi Business News.
