The Ministry of Transport announced the arrival in Cuba of 100 air-conditioned minibuses with a capacity of 14 passengers, intended to strengthen the public transport system in Havana, which has been facing a critical situation for years.
Although they are presented as an alternative to relieve pressure on the most affected routes, these vehicles will cover the existing itineraries of the well-known "gazelles," many of which are currently out of service due to prolonged technical failures.
Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila explained on Facebook that the new micros, currently in the preparation phase, were acquired with resources generated by state-owned companies in the transport sector, particularly in civil aviation.
He detailed that the pending elements regarding prices, routes, and schedules will be announced soon, without providing a specific date for their start of operation.
For its part, the company Taxis-Cuba specified on Facebook that these are Foton brand vehicles, manufactured in China, which will be managed by the Metrotaxi subsidiary on the 23 capital routes where the gazelles currently operate.
It was confirmed that these new vehicles will not expand the existing fleet but will instead serve to replace inactive units, while the broken gazelles will be relocated to other provinces with the aim of being repaired with the support of the Public Transport Development Fund.
The legalization process, which includes registration, technical inspection, and labeling, is already underway, according to the source, and the integration into service is expected to occur gradually.
Although this initiative could provide temporary relief for certain routes, its actual impact remains to be seen.
The limited capacity of each minibus, with only 14 seats, is far from resolving, or even alleviating, the transportation crisis in the Cuban capital, where the deterioration of the vehicle fleet and the shortage of fuel have severely impacted the mobility of the population.
Furthermore, the regime took the opportunity to boast that the new minibuses are air-conditioned, a detail emphasized in the official announcements, although it is likely that this comfort will not be maintained in practice, given the actual conditions of state transport and the lack of systematic maintenance.
The public transportation crisis in Havana has reached a critical point, with canceled routes, vehicles out of service, and an increasingly frustrated population in light of the lack of concrete solutions.
One of the most alarming cases is the collapse of the so-called “gacelas”, which have repeatedly disappeared from several areas of the city due to a lack of fuel, leaving entire communities without alternative means of transportation.
The Ministry of Transport has attempted to show control over the situation, but its messages have been contradictory. While it releases public warnings against private drivers for allegedly violating regulations, it does not provide effective solutions that ensure stability and operability for the state system.
This is compounded by the direct impact of power outages on the functioning of alternative means such as electric tricycles. The dependence on energy in a context of national energy deficit makes these solutions mere temporary fixes that cannot be sustained over time.
Official statistics also provide no relief: the figures show a drastic decline in transportation capacity, with millions fewer trips and a fleet that has been reduced to the bare minimum for functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Minibuses in Havana
What features do the new microbuses arriving in Havana have?
The new minibuses arriving in Havana are made by Foton, a Chinese manufacturer, and are equipped with air conditioning and a capacity for 14 passengers. They are intended to replace the inactive units of the well-known "gazelles."
What is the goal of incorporating these microbuses into the transportation system of Havana?
The main objective is to relieve the pressure on the most affected routes of Havana's public transport system, which has been facing a crisis for years. However, its limited capacity of 14 seats will not significantly alleviate the transportation crisis in the Cuban capital.
How will the acquisition of these new minibuses be financed?
The acquisition of the new minibuses has been made possible thanks to resources generated by state-owned companies in the transportation sector, particularly in civil aviation. The Public Transport Development Fund also supports this process.
What impact is expected from these minibuses on transportation in Havana?
Although the arrival of these minibusses could provide a temporary relief on some routes, the real impact remains to be seen due to their limited capacity and the overall conditions of state transportation in Cuba.
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