Extreme measure: State drivers forced to transport passengers in Santiago de Cuba

The crisis in public transportation in Santiago de Cuba, evidenced by large concentrations of people at bus stops at any time of the day, forced the local government to take a desperate measure: to compel drivers from state-owned companies to transport the population during peak demand times.

Noralquis Guerra Guevara, director of the Business Unit Terminals and Alternative Means of Santiago de Cuba, reported that there are 110 units in the territory participating in "solidarity transportation" with their vehicles, as reported by the government-backed newspaper Sierra Maestra.

However, the management board warned that out of the total number of entities that could help alleviate the crisis with their vehicles, "3% have not joined this initiative due to a lack of available vehicles in their fleet," another irrefutable example of the precariousness of transportation in the province.

Furthermore, he denounced that not all drivers participate in "solidarity transportation," pointing out that some do not stop at pick-up points.

He pointed out that the companies involved provide their vehicles during the hours of 6:30 am to 8:30 am and in the afternoon from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, which coincides with the times when the transportation crisis in Santiago de Cuba is most evident.

Although the directive advocated for "solidarity transportation" to be done "consciously," they threatened drivers with the placement of inspectors at the points with the highest concentration of people.

According to the official newspaper, at each "solidarity transportation" point, there must be a "representative" in charge of "organizing and controlling."

Rogelio Samada Rubio, provincial deputy director of transportation in Santiago de Cuba, instructed to discuss the topic of "solidarity transportation" during the morning meetings of state entities. According to him, this is the way to ensure that drivers cooperate in a conscious manner.

Due to the inability of the regime to solve the transportation crisis in Santiago de Cuba, the official admitted that they have had to resort to leased buses.

Samada acknowledged that the lack of fuel worsens mobility issues, pointing out that some vehicles, even if they are operational, cannot hit the road due to the scarcity of fuel.

The executive recalled that Resolution 435 of 2002, from the Ministry of Transportation, indicates that state vehicles are required to support transportation on their return journey.

Despite the existence of this legal instrument, the mobilization of "cadres" and inspectors at "solidarity transportation" points, Samada acknowledged that there are still drivers on the streets driving without any passengers, a sign of the regime's inefficient management.

In the face of non-compliance, a daily analysis is carried out, along with a weekly summary with the deputy governor, of all drivers who have a negative impact, and measures are applied, which may even result in the permanent removal of a driver who repeatedly fails to comply with this," he pointed out.

However, the transportation problem is repeated in all the cities of the country.

In Cuba, mobility through public transportation is critical, and to verify this, you just need to look at the numbers of buses currently circulating in the country's capital: 252 units according to official figures, a number below the amount of buses that are out of service: 309.

In Cuba, mobility through public transportation is critical, and to verify this, one only needs to look at the numbers of buses currently circulating in the country's capital: 252 vehicles, according to official figures, a number below the amount of buses that remain out of service: 309.

It was revealed last March during a balance by the Ministry of Transportation (Mitrans), where Yunier de la Rosa Hernández, Director General of Transportation in Havana, described the situation in that territory as "complex."

In May, the Minister of Transportation of Cuba, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, acknowledged the terrible service that the government offers to those who need to travel to the Isle of Youth.

In a post shared on his Facebook profile, Rodríguez Dávila admitted that the process is extremely uncomfortable and cumbersome, from purchasing the ticket to arrival.