Published: January 19, 2026
MONROVIA — When the Government of Liberia announced a nationwide reduction in bus and taxi fares last October, officials described the decision as long-awaited relief for commuters strained by rising transportation costs and economic hardship.
Nearly four months later, the new fares remain largely unrealized. Across Monrovia and key routes up country, drivers and transport unions continue to charge above government-approved fares, exposing persistent weaknesses in enforcement, public awareness, and trust within Liberia’s transport sector.
The fare reduction policy, announced on Oct. 8, 2025, by the Ministry of Transport was followed by a decline in petroleum prices on the local market. At the time, gasoline (PMS) sold for LD$805 per gallon and fuel oil (AGO) for LD$865. Prices have since dropped further—PMS now averages LD$720 per gallon, while AGO sells for about LD$775—reinforcing the government’s argument that reduced transport fares should remain in force.
On the ground, however, commuters say little has changed.
Old Fares, New Policy
Along major transport corridors from Monrovia to Bong and Nimba counties, passengers continue to pay fares above the official schedule. At roadside terminals, fares are often set by transport unions rather than government-approved rates.
Passengers paid LRD$1,800 for a one-way trip to Ganta, Nimba County despite the Ministry of Transport’s LRD$1,500. The situation is the same to other destinations.
At the Coca-Cola Factory bus terminal in Monrovia, Deddeh Kollie displayed a ticket charging LD$700 for a trip to Gbarnga—the same fare commuters paid before the October reduction. Under the revised government schedule, the fare should have been lower.
“They announced the reduction, but we are still suffering,” Kollie said. “Drivers and their unions are doing what they want.”
Other passengers echoed similar frustrations, citing weak monitoring and the near absence of visible enforcement. Some said they were unaware that any fare reduction had been announced, raising concerns about the reach and effectiveness of public awareness efforts.
Monrovia Commuters Feel the Brunt
Within Monrovia, commuters traveling short distances reported persistent overcharging.
Ben Gusseh often travels by taxi from Red Light to Roberts International Airport (RIA). She says fares remain arbitrary and consistently above the approved LRD$300.
“I have been charged between LD$400 and LD$450 before, and I am still paying it,” Gusseh said.
Catherine Maomba said she pays LD$150 instead of the approved LD$90 for a taxi ride from Red Light to Catholic Hospital Junction in Congo Town.
“I usually pay LD$150, and even getting a car is difficult, especially in the morning,” Maomba said. She added that she was unaware of any official fare mandate, suggesting the policy has not been adequately communicated to the public.
For Daniel Hallie Nyumah, a student at the University of Liberia, fare compliance depends largely on the availability of transport.
“I pay LRD$100 by bus to my Capitol Hill campus, which matches the government fare,” Nyumah said. “But if the government wants drivers to charge less, they must ensure there are enough vehicles, because mornings can be very challenging.”
Nyumah noted that during peak hours, scarcity of buses forces passengers to accept higher fares or risk being late for classes or work.
Engineer Melvin M. Mawolo, who commutes toward Duazon, said fare disputes with drivers have become routine.
“Taxi drivers charge LD$200 to Boys Town and LD$250 to Duazon,” Mawolo said. “Most of the time, we argue, but I usually disengage and pay.”
Mawolo blamed the situation on weak monitoring and inconsistent enforcement, saying drivers appear confident they will not face penalties.
Local vendors, commonly referred to as auction girls and value boys, who trade daily between Duala, Waterside, and Red Light, also reported that approved fares are rarely respected.
“There is no new transportation working,” said vendor Grace Togba. “From Duala to Red Light, we pay LD$200. From Waterside to Red Light, we pay LD$120 by bus.”
Some commuters argue that poor public awareness is a key factor causing drivers to overcharge passengers. They claim that the Ministry is not adequately informing the public about the new fares and how to report non-compliance.
Drivers Push Back
But drivers and transport unions contend that the issue is more complex than commuters’ concerns.
Several drivers said the fares announced by the Ministry fail to reflect operational realities, including poor road conditions, frequent police checkpoints, union dues, and rising spare-parts costs.
“Drivers were not properly consulted,” said commercial bus driver Musa Kanneh. “If you don’t understand the distance and road conditions, you will make prices that affect us.”
Another driver, Bangalee M. Selebey, said many drivers never received formal communication from their unions regarding the October adjustment.
“If the ministry changed the fares, our union heads didn’t show us anything,” Selebey said. “That’s why everybody is doing their own thing.”
The Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia (FRTUL) blames fare confusion on illegal breakaway groups operating outside the government’s oversight.
FRTUL President-General Augustus M. Kamara said the rise of “mushroom unions” has weakened discipline and accountability.
“When drivers want to escape control, they jump to fake groups with no legal standing,” Kamara said, claiming that his union is the only federation undergoing verification so far, with confirmed presence in seven counties.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Transport is enforcing a regulation requiring transport unions to demonstrate operational capacity in at least 9 counties before being authorized to issue tickets. The regulation, signed in April 2025, is being implemented through nationwide inspections.
Ministry Defends Enforcement
The Ministry of Transport rejects claims that it has failed to enforce the policy.
Shadrach Destiny-Brown, Director of Press and Public Affairs, said the ministry deployed more than 150 inspectors across Monrovia and surrounding areas after announcing the new fares in October last year.
“Drivers caught charging arbitrary fares were penalized in collaboration with the Liberia National Police,” Destiny-Brown said, claiming that the penalties range from US$100 to US$400, with repeat offenders risking suspension of license or vehicle impoundment.
He disclosed that “at least five drivers have been fined” but did not show evidence to support this information, stressing that the Ministry does “not in search of cases; passengers must report violations.”
Poor Monitoring Undermines Policy
Transport analyst Lucius Allison said the dispute reflects a broader governance challenge.
“The issue is not just enforcement; it is legitimacy,” Allison said. “If drivers don’t feel ownership of the policy, compliance will remain weak.”
Amid the concerns, commuters insist that rigorous monitoring by the Ministry of Transport will tackle the problem.
“If you don’t monitor it on the ground, people will ignore it,” said Abraham Balke, a resident of ELWA Caver Mission.
New Strategy Offers Hope
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport says it plans to intensify inspections in 2026 and introduce digital verification tools.
Documents reviewed by this paper show that the fare reductions were formally codified through detailed schedules covering taxis, buses, express buses, and kɛkɛ operations across Montserrado County.
The schedules outline approved fares based on distance, route, and estimated travel time, including corridors such as Broad Street, Duala, Red Light, ELWA Junction, SKD Boulevard, Caldwell, Barnesville, Paynesville, and Duazon.
Under the approved structure, taxi fares from Broad Street to Red Light are capped at LD$200, Broad Street to Freeport at LD$50, Red Light to Catholic Hospital Junction at LD$90, and Red Light to Duazon at LD$120. Similar benchmarks exist for Duala routes and inner-city movements across Waterside, Logan Town, and Sinkor.
Separate schedules also establish fares for large buses, “killer bean” buses, express routes, and kɛkɛ operations, with some short-distance trips approved as low as LD$20 to LD$30.
These documents—some dated to periods when fuel prices were higher than current levels—reinforce the government’s position that the reduced fares remain valid and enforceable.
Yet interviews with commuters across Monrovia and Paynesville indicate the approved rates are rarely observed. Passengers report paying double or triple the listed fares, particularly during peak hours or when vehicles are scarce.
Without visible monitoring at terminals, checkpoints, and major junctions, many commuters say official fare schedules offer little protection.
As a result, Liberia’s fare reduction policy—though supported by written agreements and official schedules—continues to struggle at the point where it matters most.
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