Tiassalé’s municipal authorities have unveiled plans to roll out free public transport for residents during weekends, marking a significant shift in local commuting policies. The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Antoine Assalé Tiémoko, targets Tiassalé, a bustling city roughly 120 kilometers north-east of Abidjan.
The phased implementation will begin in late 2026, following a pilot program designed to test feasibility and gather community feedback. Speaking about the bold move, Mayor Assalé emphasized its alignment with broader efforts to reallocate municipal resources more equitably. He pointed to the commune’s growing financial capacity, noting that local tax revenues surged from 24 million FCFA in 2019 to an estimated 100 million FCFA by 2026—a fourfold increase in just seven years.
The announcement was made during the 11th edition of Tiassalé’s accountability forum, held on May 22, 2026, in the city’s wedding hall. Mayor Assalé, who doubles as a journalist, also serves as the leader of the political movement ‘Aujourd’hui et demain, la Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI)’, underscoring the initiative’s dual roots in civic service and governance.
