COPEC Backs 20% Transport Fare Increase, Calls for Transparent Pricing System

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has described the planned 20% hike in public transport fares as reasonable, citing rising fuel prices and higher operating costs.

COPEC Executive Secretary Duncan Amoah’s comments follow an announcement by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana that fares will go up nationwide from Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

The transport unions say the increase is due to continuous rises in fuel prices and the cost of vehicle spare parts, which have strained their operations.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, May 30, Amoah said transport operators have been patient despite mounting pressures.

“Let me start off by saying that the transport operators have been quite magnanimous with all of us. At this time when already fuel prices are set to go up again on Monday, one could imagine that their operations could become unsustainable if they continue to charge the very old fares,” he said.

He noted that operators reduced fares when fuel prices dropped to around GH¢15 per litre, and it is fair for them to return to previous rates now that prices have risen again.

“Granted that it is those who decided to go down on fares when fuel was 15. Now that it’s gone back up to 15 again, it could only be fair that we grant them that space to also adjust back to the old levels they were,” Amoah explained.

Amoah added that some long-distance bus services have already raised fares, making it unreasonable to expect GPRTU members to hold old rates. While he supports the adjustment, he said he would have preferred 15% instead of 20%, though other costs like insurance and spare parts likely influenced the decision.

Under the new fares, a trip that currently costs GH¢100 would rise to about GH¢120, while a GH¢10 fare would increase to roughly GH¢12.

Amoah also renewed calls for a scientific and transparent method to set transport fares. He proposed a formula that factors in fixed and variable operating costs to determine a standard cost per passenger per kilometre.

“But I think that we should be making meaningful progress towards arriving at a cost per head per kilometre, so that there is no confusion and no chaos,” he said.

He criticized the current approach as largely arbitrary and urged stakeholders to adopt a data-driven system to end recurring disputes over fare adjustments.