The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says any changes to transport fares will be reviewed when conditions allow, even as pressure grows on operators to lower tickets in response to recent fuel price drops.
The union’s stance comes amid fresh requests from energy sector think tanks and industry analysts for transport operators to pass on savings from decreased petrol prices to commuters.
While gasoline costs have decreased in the most recent pricing window, GPRTU believes that the overall cost structure of transportation operations has not altered appreciably.
According to the union and other commercial drivers, critical operational costs such as maintenance, replacement parts, tires, lubricants, and financing remain high, limiting the immediate opportunity for ticket reductions.
It contends that despite the respite from lower fuel prices, companies are still under a lot of financial strain.
Abass Imoro, the GPRTU’s public relations officer, emphasises that the union has a history of reacting to good cost conditions and restates that fares would be evaluated right away whenever there is enough proof of consistent decreases across key cost components.
He cites the May 2025 fare adjustment as proof of its readiness to take action when conditions permit, when transport fares were lowered by 15% in response to a notable improvement in operational conditions, including a decrease in fuel prices.
In an interview with Citi Business News, Abass Imoro stated, “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.”
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has recently advised commercial transportation operators, including ride-hailing platforms such as Bolt, Uber, and Yango, to begin assessing and modifying their charges to reflect recent reductions in ex-pump fuel costs.
COPEC’s year-on-year assessment demonstrates significant savings for consumers under the present pricing window, with petrol and diesel prices down by GH¢3 to GH¢4 per litre compared to January 2025.
Source: newsthemegh.com