Amid escalating operating costs, the Alliance of Drivers Ghana has announced a 20 percent fare hike, effective Monday, March 17. The increase comes as drivers face surging fuel expenses, higher engine oil prices, and the rising cost of vehicle spare parts.
Speaking in an interview, the group’s National Public Relations Officer, Kwaku Boateng, urged commuters to appreciate the financial challenges confronting the transport sector.
Boateng explained that while drivers have been absorbing rising costs for months, the persistent upward trend in expenses has rendered a fare adjustment inevitable.
He stated: “The 2025 budget came, and we heard nothing about tariff reductions, yet the Finance Minister stood and spoke the whole day. We are going to increase our fares by 20 percent, and we are pleading with our passengers to bear with us because the price of engine oil and spare parts have all gone up.”
In a somewhat contrasting development, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies predicts that fuel prices are set to drop for the third consecutive time this year, with petrol, diesel, and LPG expected to decrease by 4.5%, 3.8%, and 3.9% respectively.
This is however expected to ease pressures on transport fares. While measures are being implemented to steer the economy toward a growth path, the planned 20 percent increase in transport fares could have broader implications. If fully applied, higher fares may lead to increased prices for goods due to elevated transportation costs and further strain the pockets of individual commuters.
