COPEC Rejects Proposed 20% Transport Fare Hike, Cites Stable Fuel Prices and Economic Hardship

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) has firmly rejected reports of an impending 20% increase in public transport fares, describing the move as unjustified and ill-timed amidst ongoing economic hardship faced by Ghanaians.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, COPEC stated that its consultations with major transport unions, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), revealed no official decision to increase fares despite claims made by the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC).

COPEC Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, questioned the rationale behind the proposed fare hike, especially when recent trends show a decline in fuel prices at the pump.

“Fuel prices, which hovered around GH¢15 per litre in January 2025, have dropped to approximately GH¢11–12 per litre in recent months,” Amoah noted. “Some drivers even reduced fares by 15% during this period, though others did not comply and had to be compelled by local assemblies.”

He argued that the current fuel pricing levels do not justify a fresh round of fare adjustments and expressed concern over what he called “an attempt to exploit commuters under fragile economic conditions.”

COPEC also pushed back against any effort to preemptively incorporate road tolls into fare calculations, insisting that since tolls have not yet been reintroduced, they should not influence transport pricing decisions.

The chamber welcomed the GPRTU’s rejection of the fare increase and urged all transport stakeholders to engage in broader consultations before taking steps that could worsen the cost of living.

“Decisions of this nature require consensus and sensitivity to the plight of ordinary commuters,” Amoah concluded.

The debate over transport fare adjustments continues as the government considers broader reforms in the road and fuel sectors.