Omanjor residents urge GPRTU action over alleged unauthorised fare increase

Residents in Omanjor, Olebu and Dwenewoho in the Ga Central Municipality have called on the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to intervene after transport operators allegedly increased fares without approval.

The fare change reportedly came into effect on 22 August 2026, with passengers saying the cost of travelling on the affected routes rose from GH¢6 to GH¢8.

Commuters who spoke exclusively to GhanaWeb on 25 August said the increase had created an additional financial strain, particularly because it came at a time when fuel prices had reportedly been reduced.

Doris Aning, one of the affected passengers, questioned why transport operators had raised fares despite the reported fall in fuel costs.

“How can you increase the fare from GH¢6 to GH¢8 at a time when the government has even announced a decrease in fuel prices?” she asked.

Another commuter, Yaw Asare, accused drivers and their mates of applying fare increases selectively, refusing to reduce charges when operating costs fall but raising them without the necessary authorisation when prices rise.

“The annoying part of this increment is that when the government reduces the prices, they do not decrease fares but are quick to increase their fares even without regulatory authorities’ approval,” he said.

Asare called on the GPRTU to take immediate steps to ensure that transport operators follow the fares approved by the relevant authorities.

“GPRTU must act swiftly and arrest these trotro drivers and their mates to signal to them that there are laws in this country,” he added.

Residents said the increase was excessive and unjustified, and urged the union to address the situation before it places further pressure on commuters who rely on public transport.

The concerns come after law enforcement agencies recently arrested some transport operators at the Central Market District (CMD) in Accra. The operators were allegedly charging fares that had not been approved by the relevant authorities.

The latest dispute has therefore renewed calls for stronger enforcement of fare regulations, with commuters in Omanjor, Olebu and Dwenewoho insisting that transport operators should not be allowed to impose charges without official approval.