Business News of 2026-09-23
Drivers begin charging up to 25% fare hike ahead of official increase
Although transport fares are officially set to increase by eight per cent on Saturday, September 26, 2026, some commercial transport operators have already begun charging passengers up to 25 per cent more.
Commuters were expected to pay the approved eight per cent adjustment following successful negotiations between transport operators and the government. The agreement concluded weeks of discussions between the Ministry of Transport and commercial transport operators over proposed adjustments for the 2026 fare window.
Prior to the agreement, major operator bodies, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), submitted requests for higher fare adjustments, citing rising operational costs.
Transport operators initially pushed for a 30 per cent increase and later indicated their willingness to reduce the demand to 25 per cent. However, a joint technical team comprising representatives from the Ministry, the GPRTU and the GRTCC evaluated the various operational cost components and settled on an eight per cent increase.
Despite the agreement, checks by Rainbowradioonline.com indicate that some drivers have already implemented an unauthorised 25 per cent fare increase at several terminals, including Dansoman, Lapaz, Abeka and Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
At the Madina Lorry Station in Dansoman, passengers who previously paid GH¢12 are now being charged GH¢16.
Similarly, commuters travelling from Last Stop to Lapaz are now paying GH¢8 instead of GH¢6, while those alighting at the Achimota Overhead are being charged GH¢9, up from GH¢7.50.
The unauthorised implementation has sparked heated arguments and near-physical altercations at various loading points.
Commuters insist that the new fares should only take effect on Saturday, as agreed, but some drivers and their conductors remain adamant and have refused to accept the official rates.
