By Jessica Cox
MONROVIA, The Managing Director of the National Transit Authority (NTA), Edmund Forh, says the institution is advancing efforts to modernize public transportation in Liberia through fleet expansion, digital ticketing, infrastructure upgrades, and plans to introduce electric buses.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular briefing on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Monrovia, Forh announced that the final batch of vehicles under the authority’s ongoing procurement program has arrived in the country, bringing the total number of buses acquired to 60.
He said 35 buses had already been delivered, while the remaining 25 vehicles—comprising 20 buses and five cargo trucks—have now arrived and are awaiting final administrative procedures before being put into service. According to the NTA boss, the authority encountered a challenge when a vendor supplied 15-seater buses instead of the contracted 19-seater vehicles.
As a result, NTA initially refused to accept delivery and entered negotiations with the supplier. “We could not pay for 19-seater buses and receive 15-seaters,” Forh Forh said, noting that the matter was resolved through a reduction in the contract price. The revised agreement has been approved by the Ministry of Finance and is awaiting final endorsement from the Ministry of Justice before the buses are officially received.
Forh disclosed that the newly arrived buses will not immediately begin operations because the authority is preparing to roll out an electronic ticketing system.
The initiative will allow passengers to purchase electronic tickets or use rechargeable transit cards, replacing traditional cash-based fare collection and improving accountability within the transport system.
The authority is also working toward a broader cashless payment platform as part of its modernization agenda. As part of efforts to promote environmentally friendly transportation, the NTA has begun engaging stakeholders associated with Liberia’s Green Climate Fund programs to explore the acquisition of electric buses.
Forh said the authority has been identified as a potential beneficiary under national climate initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. He explained that several technical studies, including passenger movement and transportation-demand surveys, must first be completed before funding can be secured.
If successful, the project would reduce dependence on fuel-powered buses and position Liberia among countries adopting cleaner public transportation technologies.
The NTA Managing Director also highlighted the ongoing construction of a new administrative headquarters following the destruction of the institution’s previous building. He said work on the facility is approximately halfway complete and is expected to be finalized by September. The authority is likewise pursuing renovations at key transit terminals, beginning with the Bong Mines terminal, to improve passenger services and operational efficiency.
Forh said maintaining the growing fleet remains a major priority. He disclosed that NTA is importing original spare parts directly from India and has engaged an Indian transport consultant to help strengthen maintenance systems and train local mechanics and drivers. The Authority is also introducing a digital inventory management system that will allow management to monitor the movement and use of spare parts from a centralized platform.
According to him, these reforms are intended to prevent the operational challenges that previously left many buses out of service. The NTA plans to restructure some of its routes to reduce pressure on vehicles traveling long distances. One proposal includes establishing a transit point in Ganta, where passengers can transfer to connecting buses rather than relying on a single vehicle for lengthy journeys to southeastern Liberia.
Meanwhile, five newly acquired cargo trucks will be used to transport agricultural produce and other goods from farming communities to county capitals, helping lower transportation costs and improve market access for farmers. Forh also announced that NTA has been tasked with implementing a special presidential transportation project involving the procurement of 46 additional buses intended for universities, polytechnics, and other institutions designated by the government.
The project is valued at approximately US$3.9 million and includes both smaller commuter buses and larger passenger vehicles. He clarified that the buses currently being added to the NTA fleet are not donations but are being acquired through a financing arrangement that allows the authority to make payments over time. Forh said the ultimate goal is to build a reliable, sustainable, and modern public transportation system that serves Liberians efficiently while ensuring that the authority remains stronger and more effective in the years ahead.
