Fuel Price Falls, Fares Unchanged

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara

Despite a government-mandated reduction in the pump price of fuel, many commuters across Freetown say they are still paying the same transportation fares, raising concerns over compliance with the newly announced tariff adjustments.

On Friday, 25th July 2025, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation issued a press release confirming a nationwide drop in the fuel pump price from NLe 27 to NLe 25 per litre. The Ministry, in collaboration with the Motor Drivers Union and other stakeholders, also announced a corresponding 7% decrease in public transportation fares for both poda poda and kekeh services within Freetown.

According to the adjusted fare structure, rides such as Lumley to Regent Road should now cost NLe 4 instead of NLe 5, while longer routes like Lumley to Jui have dropped from NLe 16 to NLe 15. Kekeh fares have also been revised, with a route like Lumley to Wilberforce now costing NLe 5 instead of NLe 6.

However, commuters across various locations in the capital say drivers continue to charge the old rates.

“I still paid NLe 6 this morning for a kekeh ride from Lumley to Aberdeen,” said Mariama Kallon, a civil servant. “When I asked the driver about the new fare, he simply ignored me.”

Transport unions have yet to fully enforce the new fare structure, and some drivers argue that operational costs and traffic delays justify the continued fares.

“We haven’t seen any official on the ground enforcing these new prices,” said a poda poda driver operating the Aberdeen, Regent Road route. “Until we do, we will stick to the old rates.”

The Ministry has called on the public to report any violations and warned that enforcement teams will soon be deployed to ensure compliance.

For now, commuters are caught in the middle aware of the new rates but unable to benefit from them.