The state-owned company Ferrocarriles de Cuba decided to cancel the Sancti Spíritus-Havana train service due to the low occupancy rate it had in the last trips of September.
The service was active for the second consecutive summer from early July until September 12, with departures every four days and a total of 19 trips, during which approximately 7,000 passengers were transported, reported the local state-run newspaper Escambray.
"In the last three trips, it ran almost empty, while the fuel consumption for each journey amounts to 3,200 liters; it is not justified to operate this way, nor is it fair to spend that resource without practically transporting passengers," said Mirta García Jiménez, deputy director of the railway branch in Sancti Spíritus.
The official states that the train fulfilled its purpose of providing extra passenger transportation service during the holiday period from the central provinces to Havana and vice versa.
It also states that initially the ticket price was raised to 250 pesos, but then it was decided to return to the previous price of 40 pesos.
This summer adventure of the Sancti Spíritus-Havana train results in losses for the Base Business Unit (UEB) Railways Sancti Spíritus, as the expenses for fuel and oil, the costs of leasing the locomotive from the Ferroazuc entity, and the logistics handled by the crew from Sancti Spíritus in Havana exceed the revenue generated.
"Only in the month of August, most of the losses reported by UEB Ferrocarriles Sancti Spíritus are caused by the train; it has become very complex for us to guarantee accommodation and food for the crew in Havana; now with such low occupancy, we shouldn't operate like this nor can we waste resources; however, we reiterate that the mission of the Railroad is to serve the people and every year we will continue to run the train for that purpose," says José Rojas Mesa, director of the Empresa de Ferrocarriles de Centro.
The espirituano train began operating in the 1990s and is used, in general, by residents in the central and western regions of the country. Until a few years ago, it provided service year-round on alternating days.
In 2019, an inspection carried out on the Sancti Spíritus-Habana revealed the serious technical condition it was in and the danger it posed to its circulation.
The review was prompted by an article published in the local newspaper Escambray, which drew attention to the deficiencies in the service and comfort of the cars.
The Provincial Transport Directorate and the State Railway Transport Inspection Group - based in Santa Clara - proceeded with the analysis, and the report revealed among the main deficiencies the poor condition of the floor of the cars, as well as deterioration in several metal fixing strips of the floor, insufficient lighting, absence of cushions on several seats, lack of fire extinguishers, and lack of drinking water, among other problems.
"The technical state of comfort of these vehicles is extremely critical in general; the deficiencies they present cause discomfort and irritation to travelers using this service. Additionally, the condition of the floors poses a high risk and can cause possible accidents when moving through them. In the event of a train accident, the consequences due to their condition can be considerable. Currently, it is highly dangerous for a train to operate with coaches in these conditions," concluded the report cited by Escambray.
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