Passengers using ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, and Yango should not expect any immediate drop in fares, despite recent improvements in Ghana’s economy, according to the Ghana Online Drivers Union.
The clarification comes in the wake of a 15% fare reduction announced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) for public transport services. However, the online drivers’ union insists the directive does not apply to them, as they were not involved in the decision-making process.
President of the union, Francis Tengey, explained that ride-hailing drivers operate under a separate structure and were excluded from talks between GPRTU and the Ministry of Transport.
“We were not consulted. We’re not part of the GPRTU. Uber, Bolt, and Yango don’t answer to them,” Tengey said. “As a union, we’ve applied for recognition under the Trades Union Congress since 2021, but we’re still waiting. So our customers can’t benefit from a fare cut we had no say in.”
The issue underscores a growing rift in Ghana’s transport sector, where traditional public transport unions enjoy government recognition and influence, while online drivers, who make up a significant and growing portion of urban transportation, remain sidelined.
Tengey also appealed to the government to officially recognise the union and bring the ride-hailing sector under proper regulation. He argues that such a move would allow drivers to better negotiate fare adjustments in line with economic conditions.
“We’re pleading with the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Employment to come together and regulate this space. If our union is recognised, we can properly engage Uber and Bolt on pricing in response to economic trends.”
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group CUTS International is calling on the government to do more to ensure all transport operators reflect falling fuel prices in their charges. The group is also urging local authorities to take a firmer stance against drivers who fail to comply with the GPRTU’s fare reduction directive.
The back-and-forth highlights the complexities of regulating a hybrid transport sector, where digital platforms operate outside the frameworks governing traditional services, often to the disadvantage of both drivers and passengers.
