The Ministry of Transport announced new transportation fares for Monrovia and its environs on Thursday, 31 January, as Commerce Ministry releases new pump prices for gasoline and fuel oil here.
Commerce Ministry says the new pump price for gasoline is now LD$525.00 while fuel oil is now LD$585.00.
In the wake of these new prices, the Ministry of Transport announced Thursday the reduction of transport fare from Broad Street to the University of Liberia (UL) from LD$30 to LD$20 in taxi, and LD$15 in bus.
From Broad Street to 72nd Junction passengers will now pay a reduced fare of LD$90 for taxi, and LD$60 in bus.Similar fare of LD$90 is charged from Barnersville Estate to Broad Street in taxi, while in bus, passengers will now pay LD$50 for the same distance.
The transport fares for various distances in and around Monrovia are contained in pages of document released Thursday by the Ministry of Transport.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Samuel Wulu discloses that predicated upon the new pump prices for gasoline at LRD525 and fuel oil at LRD585, transport fares are equally being reduced by the government.
Minister Wlue says the Ministry of Transport and Commerce and Industry called a technical meeting on transportation fare on Thursday, 17 January with stakeholders.
According to him, those invited for the meeting included the Liberian National Police (LNP), the various road transport unions including the tricycle and motorcycle unions in a bid to review the arbitrary increase in the transportation fare for Monrovia and its environs by drivers in 2018.
He says they concluded the final discussion on the new transportation fare structure for Monrovia and its environs on 23 January 2019.
Minister Wlue promises that the new transportation fare structure for Monrovia and its environs will be monitored in line with the new pump price for gasoline at LRD525 and fuel oil at LRD585.
He adds that the LNP, being the arm of government charged with the responsibility to enforce law and order shall enforce the new transportation fares in partnership with inspectors from the Ministry of Transport.
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He warns that any commercial driver overcharging passengers will be penalized, while also advising commuters and the public to report any violation to the Ministry or the nearby police station including transport inspectors.
He further warns that penalty for violators ranges from US$100.00 for first offense for Taxi to US$200.00 for other categories.
According to Minister Wlue, these penalties will be paid into the Central Revenue Account at the Central Bank of Liberia within 24 hours of the violation.
Minister Wlue indicates that second offense for Taxi is US$200.00 and US$400.00 for other categories to be paid into the Central Revenue Account within the same period.For third offense, he says there is a two years suspension of the operator driver’s license.
Meanwhile, Minister Wlue says these fares are subject to adjustments consistent with adjustments in the price of petroleum products on the local market.The authorities have provided contact numbers: 0888960960/0888961961, encouraging commuters to call.
By Emmanuel Mondaye –Edited by Winston W. Parley
