Monrovia, Liberia – The national strike by commercial drivers on Monday, August 18, 2025, disrupted transportation throughout Liberia as they suspended all operations in protest of what they said was ongoing harassment by police officers and the dramatic increase in fuel and gasoline prices.
Buses and yellow cabs were still off the road, leaving commuters stuck at bus stations and intersections in Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, and Bong counties. One of the drivers told our reporter at Barnersville Junction that they could no longer put up with the “daily maltreatment” they were receiving from the police and the financial strain caused by the rapidly rising cost of gasoline.
The driver clarified, “We are fed up with the police harassing and extorting us while we are also having to deal with the weekly increases in fuel prices.”
The strike, according to our reporter, is the only way to make a strong statement to the government. “We are tired of the police harassment. They give us tickets without advice. We are giving more money to police officers every day,” the driver said.
According to commercial drivers, the cost of gasoline has increased recently, with some regions allegedly seeing gallon prices above the government-regulated amount. Additionally, they clarified that their revenues have been severely reduced because to the rise in fuel and gasoline prices, police officer expenses, and ticket fees, making it challenging for them to maintain their standard of living.
While they sympathized with the drivers’ plight, passengers at Barnersville junction who were standing beneath the torrential rain on Monday morning expressed annoyance at the sudden interruption of services.
A stranded traveler in Barnersville stated, “We understand their pain, but the government needs to act quickly because ordinary people are the ones suffering most.”
Tension increased in several areas of the city as the strike began, and irate commuters demanded immediate government action to resume regular transportation services.
Following the go-slow, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman notified drivers that their issues will be addressed right away during a mass conference with police leadership.
