The situation at the bus terminals in Cuba has reached critical levels in recent days, just ahead of the Christmas celebrations and New Year's Eve.
Long lines, passenger desperation, and a shortage of available vehicles have led to chaos spreading across the major cities of the country.
One of the most critical situations is taking place at the Cienfuegos National Bus Terminal, according to the Facebook page Rodando por Cuba.
A post claims that the terminal is overcrowded not only with people on the waiting list but also with passengers who have confirmed reservations to various destinations.
However, the buses have not shown up. For the route to Havana, out of the four scheduled departures, only one bus left at 6:00 am, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and without any information about possible solutions.
These details align with those presented by the Facebook page La Tijera, which indicated that travelers at that terminal experienced a "bad night" on Christmas Eve.
At 4:30 AM, a staff member informed passengers that the bus to Santa Clara, scheduled to depart at 5:00 AM, was in the workshop, out of fuel, and there was no certainty about whether it could make the trip. Additionally, it was noted that the service from the previous day had departed with over nine hours of delay, at 2:00 PM.
The situation was no better for passengers heading to Manzanillo, whose bus was scheduled to depart at 7:00 AM, nor for those traveling to Camagüey, with a departure set for 8:00 AM. In both cases, there were not only delays but also complete uncertainty about whether the trips would take place.
In a message addressed to the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the availability of fuel and transportation is ironically questioned: "Is there really no fuel or transportation now? Head over to Villa Nueva with the buses from the combat march."
This comment highlights the frustration of citizens, who consider it a priority to address essential needs rather than allocate resources to propaganda events such as the so-called "march of the fighting people" called by the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel for last Friday, December 20.
These complaints add to the widespread outrage across the island. The lack of public transportation, combined with the rising prices of private transport, has left many Cubans with no viable options for mobility.
The collapse of transportation in Cuba is a daily issue that becomes more pronounced during this festive season, where its absence compounds the scarcity of food and basic products, making it challenging to welcome the New Year with joy rather than facing an increasingly critical situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Transportation Collapse in Cuba
What is the current situation at the bus terminals in Cuba?
The situation at bus terminals in Cuba is critical, characterized by long lines, desperation among passengers, and a shortage of available vehicles. This is primarily due to a fuel shortage and the deterioration of buses, which is severely impacting mobility in the country's main cities.
What problems do passengers face at the National Bus Terminal in Cienfuegos?
At the National Bus Terminal in Cienfuegos, passengers are facing long waits and cancellations, even those with confirmed reservations. Only one of the four scheduled routes to Havana departed, leaving hundreds of people stranded and without information on possible solutions.
How is the fuel crisis affecting transportation in Cuba?
The fuel crisis has paralyzed more than half of the transportation routes in Cuba, according to the government. This situation has caused delays, cancellations, and limited operations of trains, buses, and other transport services, severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans.
What complaints have been made regarding the management of transportation in Cuba?
Reports have emerged regarding practices such as the "cannibalization" of buses, where vehicles are dismantled to use their parts in others. This mismanagement has sparked outrage, as many believe that the private sector could improve the situation if it were allowed to manage transportation, which the current regime opposes.
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