Ride-Hailing Fares Unlikely to Drop Despite Fuel Price Cuts — Ghana Online Drivers Union

Users of ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, and Yango should not expect a reduction in fares, despite the recent appreciation of the cedi and falling fuel prices, the Ghana Online Drivers Union has stated.

This follows the Ghana Private Road Transport Union’s (GPRTU) announcement of a 15% reduction in public transport fares, which came into effect due to favourable economic indicators. However, the Union representing online drivers says the fare cut does not apply to ride-hailing services.

Speaking to Citi Business News, Francis Tengey, President of the Ghana Online Drivers Union, clarified that their union was not consulted in the decision-making process and therefore not bound by the directive.

“What the GPRTU did does not include us, because we have not been consulted. We are not part of them. We are the users of Uber, Bolt, and Yango… Our union is not recognized by the GPRTU or the Trade Union,” he stated.

Tengey explained that although the union applied for affiliation with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in 2021, they have yet to receive formal accreditation, leaving them out of critical policy dialogues.

“Uber does not know GPRTU, Bolt and Yango do not know GPRTU… Our customers cannot enjoy the 15% reduction on prices,” he added.

He further appealed to the government to step in and regulate the ride-hailing sector, stressing that formal recognition of their union would allow for more equitable fare-setting and engagement with platform operators on behalf of drivers and consumers.

“We are pleading with the government, through the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Youth and Employment, to regulate the sector and recognise the union,” Tengey urged.

Meanwhile, CUTS International, a consumer advocacy group, is calling on the government to enforce the 15% fare cut across the transport industry. The group urged local assemblies to be empowered to deregister or sanction drivers who fail to comply, arguing that commuters must not be denied the benefits of improving economic conditions.