By Makutu Manneh
The government of The Gambia has approved an increase in transport fares following consultations with industry stakeholders, citing mounting global fuel prices and economic pressures.
In a statement issued on April 10, the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure said it had concluded a series of meetings with the General Transport Union and other parties earlier in the month to address recent fuel price increases and their impact on public transportation.
As part of the agreement, commercial transport fares within the Greater Banjul Area will rise by five dalasis, while fares in the Foni, West Coast Region, will increase by 15 dalasis. The adjustment excludes motor tricycle operators.
Officials described the measure as temporary, attributing the rising costs to global market disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up fuel prices worldwide. The ministry noted that the government has already allocated more than 316 million dalasis in fuel subsidies for April in an effort to ease the burden on both transport operators and commuters.
The fare increases follow weeks of concern among drivers, some of whom had begun raising prices independently in response to higher operating costs.
The ministry said discussions would continue to determine whether similar adjustments are needed in rural areas, where transportation dynamics differ, and economic pressures continue to evolve.
“The importance of collaboration among all stakeholders during this challenging global crisis cannot be overstated,” the statement said, adding that authorities were seeking to balance affordability with the sustainability of the transport sector.
The government also appealed for public understanding as it navigates the adjustments, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining safe and accessible transportation nationwide.
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