Commercial drivers in Monrovia, including taxi and traffic bus operators, have taken to the streets in protest against a sharp increase in vehicle registration fees, calling the new rates exploitative and economically unsustainable.
The protest comes in response to a policy shift implemented under the current administration, in collaboration with the Lebanese-owned firm Liberia Traffic Management (LTM).
Documents obtained by The Oracle News Daily show that registration fees for commercial taxis have surged from USD 75 during former President George Weah’s administration to USD 300—a 300% increase.
Daniel Momo, a local taxi driver, described the new fees as a “hardship tax” on struggling drivers. “Many of us are not car owners—we drive for someone else and are expected to report LRD 300 daily.
With this hike, combined with soaring fuel prices, regular vehicle maintenance, and the rising issuance of traffic tickets by LTM and the police, there’s nothing left for us at the end of the day,” he said.
Another driver, Matthew Garjay, echoed the sentiment, labeling the move as a deliberate effort to deepen unemployment. “If we fail to meet our daily target due to these costs, we’ll be fired. This isn’t reform—it’s oppression,” he argued.
The newly released document details further increases across various vehicle categories. Registration for heavy-duty vehicles now stands at USD 700 (approx. LRD 140,000), while private vehicles such as A3 Mini Vans and A4 SUVs are subject to new fees ranging from USD 175 to USD 250, depending on classification. The Ministry of Transport has yet to offer a detailed explanation or justification for the steep increases.
Critics argue that the government’s partnership with LTM lacks transparency and disproportionately affects lower-income Liberians who rely on commercial driving as their primary source of income.
Several drivers interviewed referred to the arrangement as a “mafia deal,” accusing LTM of exploiting its regulatory authority for profit without any tangible improvements to road safety or traffic management.
“There has been no consultation with stakeholders, no explanation—just sudden enforcement of outrageous fees,” one bus operator said. “This is not governance; this is extortion.”
Although the Ministry of Transport and LTM have remained largely silent on the protests, the issue is gaining political traction. Civil society groups and transport unions are calling for immediate dialogue and a suspension of the new fee structure until a comprehensive review is conducted.
As protests continue, commercial transport services across Monrovia have been partially disrupted, with operators vowing to continue demonstrations until the government responds. Many warn that if left unresolved, the situation could further destabilize an already strained public transportation system, risking not only jobs but also mobility for thousands of everyday commuters.
