AYV News, July 3, 2026
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation, in collaboration with the Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union and other key stakeholders in the transport sector, has announced a 12.5 percent reduction in public transportation fares across Freetown Municipality and provincial routes.
The new fare structure took effect on, 30 June 2026, following the Government’s recent downward review of fuel pump prices, which reduced the cost of petrol to NLe33 per litre and diesel to NLe35 per litre.
Announcing the revised fares, the Ministry said the adjustment was the outcome of consultations involving transport unions, passenger representatives and regulatory authorities to ensure that commuters benefit from the reduction in fuel prices.
Under the new fare schedule, passengers travelling within the Freetown Municipality will pay reduced fares on several major routes. The Lumley–Regent Road route has been reduced from NLe7 to NLe6.1, while the Waterloo–Bombay Street fare has dropped from NLe16.8 to NLe14.7. The Waterloo–Tokeh route now costs NLe30.7, down from NLe35.1.
Other revised fares include Wilberforce–Jui at NLe13.5, Jui–Lumley at NLe19.7 and Regent–Bus Station at NLe8.6.
Commuters travelling to the provinces will also benefit from lower transport costs. The fare from Freetown to Bo has been reduced to NLe159.7, Kenema to NLe184.3, Kono to NLe233.5, Kabala to NLe196.5 and Kailahun to NLe307.1. Routes to Makeni, Port Loko and Kambia have similarly been adjusted downward.
The revised fare structure also covers inter-district routes, while commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Kekeh) operators have reduced their standard “pole-to-pole” fare from NLe7 to NLe6.1.
The Ministry warned that transport operators who charge above the approved fares will face legal sanctions, stressing that compliance will be monitored through enforcement operations across the country.
The agreement on the new fares was signed by Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon. Rex Bhonapha; General Manager of the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA), Isaac Ken-Green; President of the Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union, Ibrahim Sam; and representatives of the Bike Riders Union, Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Union, Passenger Welfare Association, and the Poda Poda and Bus Owners Association.
The reduction in transport fares follows weeks of public appeals by civil society organisations and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress for transport costs to reflect declining global crude oil prices and the subsequent reduction in domestic fuel prices. Government officials say fuel prices will continue to be monitored, with further reviews to be undertaken when necessary.
