Transport fares to rise by 20% from March 17 — Drivers cite soaring costs despite expected fuel price drops

Commuters across Ghana should brace for a 20% increase in transport fares starting Monday, March 17, 2025, as announced by the Alliance of Drivers Ghana.

The decision to adjust fares comes on the back of soaring fuel prices, rising engine oil costs, and the continuous hike in vehicle spare parts prices, all of which have placed unbearable financial strain on drivers.

Speaking to Citi News, the Alliance’s National Public Relations Officer, Kwaku Boateng, explained that drivers have tried for months to absorb the rising costs without passing them on to passengers. However, he stressed that the persistent increase in operational expenses has left drivers with no choice but to adjust fares.

“The 2025 budget came, and we heard nothing about tariff reductions, yet the Finance Minister stood and spoke the whole day,” Boateng said, expressing frustration over the government’s silence on the plights of drivers.

“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.”

According to the drivers, frequent hikes in fuel prices, coupled with inflation, cedi depreciation, and escalating maintenance costs, have left many drivers struggling to stay afloat.

Drivers say the cost of engine oil, tires, and basic spare parts has skyrocketed, making daily operations increasingly unsustainable. Some drivers reportedly spend almost half of their daily earnings on fuel alone, not to mention additional expenses on repairs and maintenance.

“We cannot continue running at a loss. We have families to feed and cars to maintain. This fare increase is painful but necessary,” a driver told Citi News, echoing sentiments shared by many in the industry.

“We’ve written letters, we’ve had meetings, but nothing concrete has been done. Meanwhile, everything keeps going up,” Boateng lamented.

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Interestingly, the fare hike announcement comes at a time when fuel prices are projected to witness a notable drop at the pumps starting March 16, 2025.

According to a Pricing Outlook Report, this anticipated drop could mark the third consecutive reduction in fuel prices since February 16, 2025.

The development, although welcomed by consumers, may not immediately ease the financial strain on drivers, who argue that the cumulative effect of months of high prices and other cost surges still necessitates fare adjustments.

“Even if fuel prices drop a little now, what about all the losses we’ve endured over the past months? What about engine oil and spare parts that are still expensive? People need to understand that this is beyond fuel alone,” a driver explained.