Public transport fares will be reduced by 10% effective August 1, the General Secretary of the Ghana Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) Duncan Amoah has said.

According to him, "This is in respect to the fact that the President in his last address to the nation eased down restrictions as far as social distancing in public transportation systems is concerned."

President Akufo-Addo while ushering the nation into phase two of easing down restrictions on Sunday said public transport operators can resume operations at full capacity.

Thereafter, COPEC called on transport operators to reduce transport fares.

Although some drivers said they were unwilling to obey the directive, the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) said the union was in talks with stakeholders in the transport sector to see the way forward.

After the stakeholders' meeting, drivers have been directed to reduce transport fares by 10% effective August 1.

"So now that our public transport operators are back to picking the number of people that they are designed to carry, it has become necessary to reduce the fares," Mr. Amoah added.