Management of VIP Jeoun Transport has announced that its anticipated fare increase will take effect on Wednesday, April 8, despite an intervention by President John Dramani Mahama, who convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the recent rise in petroleum prices.
This decision by the transport operator reflects a resolute stance by one of Ghana’s prominent intercity bus service providers, even as the government seeks to tackle the broader economic challenges affecting both commuters and transport operators.
According to VIP Jeoun, the fare adjustment will apply to both its standard buses and executive coach services, affecting passengers travelling on major routes from Accra to various locations throughout the country.
This development occurs at a time when Ghanaians are already facing increasing living expenses, with fuel prices being a significant factor in transport fares and overall inflation.
Industry stakeholders have consistently cautioned that ongoing rises in operational costs, especially fuel, spare parts, and maintenance, have made it progressively challenging to sustain current fare levels.
After a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Transport, Ghana, on Tuesday, April 7, General Manager of VIP Jeoun Transport, Adakabre Frimpong Manso, justified the company’s decision, emphasising that the fare adjustment had been postponed for a significant duration despite escalating financial pressures.
“What we have already announced our stance, but then we will communicate to the directors what the Transport Minister has said. These fares were supposed to kick off in March 2025, and then at the instance of the Transport Minister, we stood them down, we suspended those prices.
“So it has been there for one year, and we should not forget the tragedy of the price increase of VIP, the fares were last increased in April 2024. What is in Ghana that is GH₵10 two years ago that remains GH₵10 two years later in real terms?”
