Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on commuters in Freetown, with passengers accusing commercial drivers of increasing fares and shortening routes without clear government-approved adjustments.

The concerns emerged Thursday, August 6 2026, during interviews with commuters across the capital, following the latest increase in pump prices announced Aug. 3.

The government has adjusted fuel pump prices five times in 2026, with both upward and downward changes. According to price adjustments announced by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency and the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, petrol and diesel increased from NLe 25 to NLe 28.50 per litre in January.

On March 7, prices rose again to NLe 32 per litre for both petrol and diesel. Later in March, diesel increased to NLe 35 per liter while petrol remained at NLe 32.

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A subsequent downward adjustment between April and June set petrol at NLe 33 per liter and diesel at NLe 35. On Aug. 3, petrol was increased to NLe 35 per liter while diesel rose to NLe 40.

Commuters said the latest adjustment has renewed concerns over transportation costs, particularly because they said no new official fares had been issued for routes within Freetown and between provincial locations following the Aug. 3 increase.

Michael Thomas, a businessman who operates around Regent Road, Lumley and Aberdeen Park, said the government and drivers’ union should establish clear agreements whenever fuel prices change.

He said fixed fares would help passengers know how much they are expected to pay for specific routes and reduce disputes between commuters and commercial drivers.

Thomas accused some drivers of taking advantage of fuel price increases to charge passengers arbitrary fares.

He said passengers traveling from Lumley to Regent Road are now paying NLe 7, even when they are dropped before reaching their intended destination.

Thomas also criticized the practice he described as “halfway,” in which drivers stop passengers before their agreed destinations but still demand the full fare.

He said the practice has increasingly created conflicts between passengers and drivers and called on the government to take action against drivers involved in such practices.

Thomas also urged the government to consider measures to reduce fuel prices, saying the cost of transportation is placing a growing burden on citizens.

For Umar Kargbo, a computer repair and maintenance worker and businessman who lives in Deep Eye Water in the east of Freetown, transportation costs have become a major part of his daily expenses.

Kargbo said he pays NLe 5 by motorbike from his home to his junction, NLe 10 from the junction to Jui, NLe 25 from Jui to Up-Gun by keke and another NLe 15 from Up-Gun to Circular Road.

He said the combined cost means he spends almost NLe 50 traveling from his home to his business.

When using a poda-poda, Kargbo said he pays NLe 15 from Deep Eye Water to Bombay Street.

He also raised concerns about drivers stopping short of passengers’ destinations and charging additional fares for what he described as multiple “halfway” trips.

Kargbo said drivers sometimes make as many as three halfway stops before reaching a passenger’s intended destination, creating additional difficulties for commuters.

He called on the government to reduce fuel prices and introduce stronger measures requiring commercial drivers to take passengers to their designated destinations.

Ibrahim Kamara, a graduate living at Brima Lane, Old Road, said the transportation situation has become increasingly difficult for passengers.

Kamara said he pays NLe 7 from Brima Lane to Eastern Police, but claimed that during rush hours some drivers stop at Barracks Old and demand the same fare despite not completing the journey.

He said the practice is unfair to passengers and urged the government to establish clearer enforcement measures.

Kamara also appealed for a reduction in fuel prices, saying rising transportation costs are affecting citizens’ daily lives.

Students are also feeling the pressure.

Daniel Conteh, a WASSCE student who lives in Calaba Town New Road, said he pays NLe 8 from Calaba Town to Eastern Police or sometimes Bombay Street.

Conteh said students face particular difficulties during rush hours when some drivers demand fares higher than what passengers normally pay.

He also complained about drivers stopping before passengers’ intended destinations and described the halfway practice as another challenge affecting commuters.

Conteh called on the government to reduce fuel prices and engage the drivers’ union over the issue. He also urged authorities to introduce stronger measures to address drivers who repeatedly stop short of passengers’ destinations.

The concerns raised by the commuters point to a broader challenge facing public transportation in Freetown: the absence of clear and consistently enforced fares following changes in fuel prices.

While commuters acknowledge that higher fuel costs can affect transport operators, they are calling for an official and transparent fare structure that protects both drivers and passengers from arbitrary charges.

The passengers interviewed also urged authorities to strengthen enforcement against route-shortening and ensure that commercial vehicles adhere to approved destinations and fares.