Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 25, 2025 – The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has officially announced a reduction in public transportation fares across the Freetown Municipality and provincial routes, effective Friday, July 25, 2025.
The decision follows the recent drop in the pump price of fuel from NLe 27 to NLe 25 per litre for both petrol and diesel.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the revised fares were agreed upon in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Motor Drivers Union and other key stakeholders in the transport sector.
Updated Podapoda Fares Within Freetown
With the new fuel pricing in effect, podapoda (minibus) fares on various routes have been reduced. Key changes include:
* Lumley to Regent Road: from Le5 to NLe4
* Aberdeen to Regent Road: from NLe 5 to NLe4
* Lumley to BawBaw: from NLe 7 to NLe6
* Waterloo to Bombay Street: from Nle 11 to NLe 9
* Lumley to Jui: from NLe 16 to NLe 15
* Waterloo to Tokeh: from NLe25 to NLe 24
* Wilberforce to Jui: from NLe 12 to NLe 10
* Waka Fine (Pole to Pole): from NLe 8 to NLe 8
Updated Kekeh (Tricycle) Fares
Kekeh fares have also been revised as follows:
* Lumley to Wilberforce: from NLe 6 to NLe 5
* Lumley to Aberdeen: from NLe 7 to NLe 6
* Upgun to Dworzack Junction: from NLe 7 to NLe 6
* Wilberforce to Regent: from NLe 10 to NLe 9
* Aberdeen Road to Aberdeen: from NLe 6 to NLe 5
* Congo Cross to Wilberforce: from NLe 6 to NLe 5
A 7% fare reduction has also been applied to various provincial routes from Freetown. Key changes include:
* Freetown to Kailahun: Reduced from NLe 250 to NLe 230
* Freetown to Kono: Reduced from NLe 190 to NLe 170
* Freetown to Kabala: Reduced from NLe 160 to NLe 150
* Freetown to Makeni:** Reduced from NLe 120 to NLe 110
* Freetown to Bo (Government Bus): Reduced from NLe 120 to NLe 110
* Freetown to Kenema (Government Bus): Reduced from NLe 130 to NLe 120
Other routes like Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, and Lunsar have also seen similar reductions.
The Ministry has urged all transport operators to comply with the new fare structure, assuring the public that monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure full enforcement.
Commuters are encouraged to report non-compliant drivers to the Ministry or the Motor Drivers Union for appropriate action.
The fare reduction comes as part of government efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens amid ongoing economic challenges.
