COPEC pushes for data-backed transport fare setting

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is urging a shift towards a data-driven, transparent, and scientific method for determining public transport fare adjustments in Ghana.

This call follows the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council’s now-suspended proposal for a 20% fare increase, which was initially justified by rising costs of goods, services, and spare parts, despite a 15% fare reduction in May.

Speaking in an interview, COPEC’s Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, argued that relying solely on negotiations between transport unions and government officials to set fares is outdated and often lacks objectivity.

“Public transport fares should not be determined by guesswork or negotiation tactics, we need a scientific model, one that uses actual metrics such as fuel cost per kilometre, inflation, spare parts pricing, and operational costs.

These can be transparently calculated and published, just like we do in the petroleum sector,” he said.

COPEC believes this approach will bring consistency and fairness to fare adjustments while reducing tension between transport operators and the public.

In the meantime, COPEC has suspended its legal challenge against the proposed fare hike, following the decision by the transport unions to put the increase on hold.

The 20% adjustment was originally scheduled to take effect on August 8, 2025.