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The Ministry of Transport and Aviation, in collaboration with key transport unions and operators, has approved new public transportation fares for Freetown Municipality and provincial routes, effective Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
The adjustment follows the recent increase in fuel pump prices, with petrol now selling at NLe40.00 per litre in Freetown. Authorities said the new transport fares were agreed upon following consultations involving government representatives, the Motor Drivers Union, Bike Riders Union, Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Union, and the Poda Poda and Bus Owners Association.
Under the newly approved fare structure, commuters will see proportional increases across several routes in and around the capital.
Among the affected routes, Lumley to Regent Road has increased from NLe7.00 to NLe7.90, while Aberdeen to Regent Road has also risen from NLe7.00 to NLe7.90. Lumley to Bawbaw has moved from NLe9.80 to NLe11.00.
Other adjustments include Waterloo to Bombay Street, which has increased from NLe16.80 to NLe18.90, while Waterloo to Tokeh has risen from NLe35.10 to NLe39.50. The fare for Wilberforce to Jui has increased from NLe15.40 to NLe17.30, and Lumley to Borbor from NLe12.60 to NLe14.20.
The new fares also include Lumley to Ogoo Farm, rising from NLe8.40 to NLe9.50; Mess Mess to Eastern Police, from NLe8.40 to NLe9.50; and Jui to Lumley, from NLe22.50 to NLe25.30.
Similarly, commuters travelling from Grafton to Bombay Street will now pay NLe15.80, up from NLe14.00, while Wellington to Eastern Police has increased from NLe8.40 to NLe9.50. The fare from Gloucester to Model has also risen from NLe14.00 to NLe15.80.
Additional adjustments include Regent to Bus Station, increasing from NLe14.00 to NLe15.80; Charlotte Street to Wilberforce, from NLe9.80 to NLe11.00; Calaba Town to Goderich Street, from NLe9.80 to NLe11.00; and Brima Lane to Eastern Police, from NLe8.40 to NLe9.50.
The Ministry and transport stakeholders said the revised fares are intended to reflect the impact of the increased cost of fuel while maintaining a proportionate fare structure for commuters.
Authorities have, however, issued a strong warning to commercial drivers and transport operators against charging passengers above the newly approved rates.
“All need to note that any deviation from the proportionate fares set above will be met by the full force of the laws of Sierra Leone,” the official statement accompanying the agreement warned.
The new fare structure takes immediate effect nationwide from Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
