The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has strongly kicked against any move by transport operators to increase commercial fares by 20 per cent.

COPEC argues that there is no justification for an increase in transport fares based on its research and engagements with stakeholders.

“Our checks with the various transport unions, including the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union (GPRTU) and other driver unions, indicate no such decision has been taken. It is also difficult to comprehend what matrices inform any such drastic upward reviews of public transport fares, as that affects largely the poor and already suffering masses”, it said.

The chamber stated that the major argument so far for the increase is to the effect that the government has increased fuel prices by a one Ghana cedi levy.

“The above argument, though true, cannot and should not be the basis for punishing the suffering Ghanaian masses as the overall effect of the new One Ghana levy is still not sufficient to wipe out the sustained reductions recorded at the pumps over the past couple of months”.

COPEC said for the avoidance of doubt, fuel prices which used to sell for around GH₵15 per litre as of January 2025, when it declined to around GH₵11 and GH₵12 per litre saw a section of drivers who were magnanimous in reducing transport fares by some 15%, though a cross section of other driver unions did not reduce their fares and had to be chased by the local assemblies.

“On the balance of odds or numbers, the pricing levels as of today are still not anywhere near the January prices from which transport fare discussions could be had, and such is our surprise at the attempts by a section of transport operators to justify a further increase in fares as of this time”, it said.

COPEC also points out that even though the planned reintroduction of road tolls could add to the cost of operations for drivers, there is no justification to use it as a benchmark for increasing fares.

“It is imperative to note that, an intention which has not yet been enforced cannot and should not form the basis of any increases in transport fares as the effects will not only be felt by the already suffering masses but will further diffuse genuine outcry by the people for the cost of goods and services to be reduced across all sectors to bring some relief”.

COPEC added that the largest transport union, GPRTU, has already rejected any such attempts at increasing fares, as the prices for both spare parts and fuel cannot be said to have increased.