Govt Reduces Transport Fares

By Jamesetta D Williams

Monrovia – October 8, 2024 – The Government of Liberia has taken serious steps aimed at adjusting transportation fares across the length and breadth of the country, with the aim of relieving citizens of huge transport burdens they have been bearing to travel from place to place.

Adjustment in transportation fares aligned with President Boakai decision to set up special taskforce headed by Vice President Jeremiah Koung to look into the prices of goods on the market.

Almost two months after the announcement, the Ministry of Transport yesterday released a new list of approved transportation fares for travel from Monrovia to various destinations across the country.

According to the Ministry, the initiative is part of efforts to bring fairness, order, and transparency to the public transport sector amid rising costs and complaints of overcharging by commercial drivers.

Announcing the new fare structure, the Minister of Transport Sirleaf Tyler, disclosed that the government remains is committed to ensuring that transportation is affordable and predictable for Liberians traveling to both rural and urban areas.

“We want to make sure that passengers are not exploited and that drivers adhere to the approved prices set by the government,” Minister Tyler said.

According to the updated list, commuters traveling from Monrovia to nearby destinations such as Weala and Gbah will now pay L$200 and L$300 respectively.

Those heading to Bong County to locations like Totota and Salala will pay L$400, while trips to Gbarnga are set at L$600.

Longer routes such as Phebe/Cuttington and Bellefuanai are priced at L$1,000, while Kokoyah and Jorwah routes will cost L$1,800 each.

Minister Tyler also disclosed that fares for key routes in Nimba County have been standardized. Trips to Sanniquellie and Ganta (Gompa) will now cost L$2,000 and L$2,200, respectively.

Other destinations including Bahn, Yekepa, and Loguatuo are set at L$2,500, L$3,200, and L$3,500. The ministry further stated that travel from Sanniquellie to Zwedru will cost L$4,500, and journeys to Fish Town will reach as high as L$7,000.

For the southeastern region, travel from Monrovia to Fish Town (River Gee County) will now cost L$9,000, while the fare to Harper, Maryland County, is L$9,700. A trip to Greenville City in Sinoe County will be L$6,000.

On the western corridor, fares have also been regulated. Transportation from Monrovia to Robertsport in Grand Cape Mount County is set at L$700, and Buchanan in Grand Bassa County is now L$500. Travel to Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County will cost L$4,500, while Voinjama in Lofa County is priced at L$2,000. Longer routes to Kolahun and Foyah are L$5,000 and L$4,000 respectively.

Minister Tyler emphasized that the new fare structure was developed after extensive consultations with transport unions, local authorities, and drivers. He warned commercial transport operators against overcharging passengers, adding that violators risk fines or suspension of their licenses.

“We are serious about enforcement,” Tyler said. “Passengers should not be taken advantage of, and we encourage the public to report any cases of fare overpricing to the Ministry of Transport or local transport authorities.