By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA – Amid rising global petroleum prices, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Transport (MOT), has established new transport fares for daily commuters across the country.
In a major update on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Ministry of Transport authorities announced the new fare structure during the Ministry of Information’s (MICAT) regular press briefing on Capitol Hill. According to the MOT, these approved adjustments are necessary to align with the current cost of petroleum products on the Liberian market.
The Ministry warned that harsh penalties will be imposed on violators. Fines for taxis and motorized tricycles (Kekehs) range from US$100 for a first offense to US$200 for a second. For buses, fines are set at US$200 and US$400 for first and second offenses, respectively. Authorities clarified that a third offense for any category will result in a two-year suspension of the operator’s driver’s license.
Under the new structure, the fare from Broad Street to Red Light is set at L$250 for taxis and L$120 for buses.
Transportation costs have faced upward pressure following a significant increase in the retail price of petroleum which took effect on March 14, 2026. While the government has mandated that official structures be respected reports from across the capital indicate a surge in arbitrary pricing by commercial drivers, placing additional strain on household budgets.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), raised the ceiling prices for gasoline (PMS) and fuel oil (diesel/AGO) to address global market volatility. As of mid-March, gasoline is retailing at US$4.87 (approx. L$910) per gallon, while diesel is priced at US$5.78 (approx. L$1,080).
The Ministry of Transport maintains that fare structures must reflect fuel market conditions to remain fair to operators. However, enforcement remains a persistent challenge as ordinary Liberians continue to pay the price of the US-Israel vs Iran war.
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