Africa-Press – Liberia. By Patrick N. Mensah, Maryland County
Pleebo, Maryland County – Transportation activities in Pleebo and its surrounding communities have been disrupted following a go-slow protest initiated by local taxi and mini-bus drivers, who say their livelihoods are being threatened by a newly introduced student bus scheme.
The protest, which began earlier on Monday morning, is in response to buses reportedly donated by Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony Williams.
The buses donated by the Representative are currently being used to transport students daily between Pleebo and Harper, a route heavily relied upon by both students and commercial drivers.
According to multiple sources within the transport sector, students using the buses are charged L$50 per trip, with the amount intended to cover maintenance and minor operational costs.
In addition, fuel for the buses is reportedly being provided by Representative Williams, making the service significantly cheaper than conventional transport options.
Drivers operating along the Pleebo–Harper corridor argue that the arrangement has created an uneven competitive environment.
They claim that the low fare, combined with subsidized fuel, has made it nearly impossible for them to attract passengers, particularly students who previously formed a major portion of their daily income.
“We are not against helping students, but this is affecting our survival,” one driver told reporters. “Most of our passengers were students, and now they are all using these buses.”
According to them, the planned peaceful protest was intended to draw the attention of the Lawmaker to their concerns.
However, the situation has since escalated into a go-slow action, with many drivers deliberately reducing their operations or withdrawing services during peak hours.
The impact of the protest is already being felt across Pleebo, with commuters reporting delays, increased waiting times, and, in some cases, difficulty finding transport connections, especially for those not benefiting from the student bus service.
Some residents have expressed mixed reactions to the situation. While many have welcomed the student buses as a relief for struggling families facing high transportation costs, others worry about the broader economic impact on local drivers who depend on daily earnings to support their households.
Efforts are reportedly underway by local authorities and community leaders to engage both the drivers’ union and representatives of the student transport initiative in order to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of all parties.
As of press time, the drivers’ union has not issued an official public statement, and Representative Anthony Williams has yet to formally respond to the concerns raised.
The situation remains fluid, with residents and stakeholders closely monitoring developments as discussions continue.
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