By Kadijatu Bangura | D.S. Reporter
Commuters and vehicle operators travelling between Freetown and Lungi will now pay more, after the Government approved a 12.5% increase in ferry fares effective Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation announced the new rates in a press release signed by Deputy Minister Hon. Rex Bhonapha. The Ministry said the adjustment was made in consultation with ferry operators following the latest increase in the pump price of fuel, with the new fares calculated using a diesel price of NLe 45 per litre.
Under the revised structure, first-class passengers will now pay NLe 76.2, up from NLe 67.7, while second-class fares have risen from NLe 36.7 to NLe 41.3.
Vehicle charges have also gone up. Cars will now pay NLe 275.9 compared to the previous NLe 245.2, while vans and jeeps increased from NLe 294.8 to NLe 331.7.
For public transport, coaches with fewer than 25 seats rose from NLe 310.5 to NLe 349.3. Those with between 25 and 40 seats moved from NLe 391.3 to NLe 440.2, 42-seater coaches increased from NLe 506.1 to NLe 569.4, and coaches with more than 42 seats will now pay NLe 880.7, up from NLe 782.8. Bus fares, including vehicles such as TATA buses, have also jumped from NLe 1,284.8 to NLe 1,445.4.
Other revised fares include motorcycles, which increased from NLe 69.3 to NLe 78; bicycles, up from NLe 37.6 to NLe 42.3; and tricycles or Kekehs, which rose from NLe 200.2 to NLe 225.2. Fares for government security forces also increased from NLe 13.5 to NLe 15.2.
The Ministry confirmed that students in uniform will continue to travel free of charge. It added that charges for empty and full trucks, 20-foot and 40-foot trailers, as well as luggage, will remain subject to negotiation between operators and users.
The new rates were endorsed by ferry operators including Mr. Sallah, General Manager of Afrimpex Navigation (SL) Ltd., and Alusine Daramy, Managing Director of M.V. Mahera.
The Ministry has urged all passengers, motorists and other ferry users to take note of the revised fares, which came into effect on September 8.
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