Liberia: NTA Dedicates 20 Buses, Five Trucks As Government Pushes Public Transport Expansion

What the report says

Liberia’s National Transit Authority has added 20 buses and five cargo trucks to its fleet, in a commissioning ceremony in Monrovia on Tuesday as the government seeks to expand public transport and improve the movement of people and goods. The event brought together government officials, NTA leaders, board members, private-sector partners and business representatives.

According to The Liberian Investigator, the new buses are meant to increase service in Monrovia and other parts of the country, while the trucks are intended to help move agricultural produce, merchandise and other goods to markets. NTA Managing Director Edmund Ford said the expansion reflects the authority’s recovery efforts and support from the Boakai administration and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. He also said the agency had recently been operating from a very weak financial position and later received government funding for repairs, spare parts and fuel.

Ford said the vehicles were acquired through an agreement with ABK Incorporated, and that the buses will first be used for special services, airport shuttle operations and student transport under special arrangements. He also said the trucks may eventually support cross-border trade. Separately, the authority is working on an electronic payment system to improve revenue collection.

Transport Minister Sirleaf Tyler said the fleet expansion could help commuters in areas with limited reliable transport, while other officials urged the NTA to maintain the vehicles, keep fares affordable and improve service. More broadly, the development fits Liberia’s wider effort to strengthen transport infrastructure and links between roads, markets and public services.