Private bus operators threaten fare hike over poor roads

Motor Coach Operators across Ghana have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Highways, urging immediate engagement with the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza.

Their demand is simple: develop a concrete plan to fix deteriorating roads or face a possible fare increase through a new maintenance levy.

The operators say the poor state of major roads is severely affecting their business, as they spend a large part of their capital on repairs.

With 5,000 luxury coaches currently operating nationwide, the toll on their vehicles is unsustainable.

Among the roads raising the most concern is the Amasaman-Pokuase stretch. Drivers say what should be a 30-minute trip often turns into three hours of traffic.

One frustrated passenger shared how his wife missed a flight after being stuck on that road for hours.

“We took delivery of 65 new VIP coaches in January 2025, and by the end of the first quarter, they had broken down. That’s how bad the roads are. We need the government to rise to the occasion and fix these roads,” said Adakabre Frimpong Manso, operations manager at VIP Transport and convener for the coach operators.

Other affected routes include the Kasoa-Winneba highway, Tarkoradi to Agona Nkwanta, Prestea to Bogoso, Bodi to Asankragua, Tepa to Goaso, and Tamale to Bolga.

Operators insist that continued neglect of these roads will not only increase travel delays but also impact passenger safety and national productivity.

If their concerns are not addressed within two weeks, passengers may begin to see higher fares to offset rising maintenance costs.