The images recently shared on social media by the user Santiago Miguel Díaz Herrera reveal the alarming state of neglect and destruction that prevails at several bus terminals in Havana, such as San Agustín and Arimao.
What once were the nerve centers of public transport in the Cuban capital, now resemble more like industrial graveyards filled with scrap metal, rusty structures, and dismantled buses.
In the photos, several
A few units seem complete but inoperable; others have been reduced to shells stripped of wheels, windows, and engines, in an environment that reflects decay and neglect. The situation is not new, but it worsens with the passage of time.
In March, the Cuban government publicly acknowledged the deep crisis affecting public transportation. Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila mentioned among the causes the shortage of spare parts, lack of lubricants and fuel, as well as the accumulated deterioration of the infrastructure and the obsolescence of the vehicle fleet.
This situation has had a direct impact on the daily lives of Cubans. Long waits at bus stops, overcrowded journeys, and suspended routes have become part of the daily routine in cities like Havana.
What would be a logistics problem in other countries has turned into a structural crisis in Cuba, worsening mobility and further complicating the already difficult economic reality of the population.
The case of the San Agustín and Arimao terminals starkly illustrates the decline of the urban transport system managed by the State. Where active fleets once were stored, now there are ruins and silence. As the whistleblower pointed out in their post: “It slowly died, it is the reflection of what socialism is.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the State of Public Transport in Havana
How are the bus terminals in Havana currently?
The bus terminals in Havana, such as San Agustín and Arimao, are in a state of alarming neglect and destruction. Recent images show industrial graveyards filled with scrap and dismantled buses. This situation reflects the decline of the public transport system in Cuba, exacerbated by a shortage of spare parts, lubricants, and fuel.
What are the main causes of the deterioration of public transportation in Cuba?
The deterioration of public transportation in Cuba is attributed to the shortage of spare parts, the lack of lubricants and fuel, and the obsolescence of the vehicle fleet. These issues, acknowledged by the government, have led to a structural crisis in the transportation system, impacting the mobility and daily life of citizens.
What impact does the transportation crisis have on the lives of Cubans?
The transportation crisis in Cuba has resulted in long waits at bus stops, overcrowded trips, and suspended routes, further complicating the economic reality for the population. The decline of the public transportation system has turned what would be a logistical issue in other countries into a structural crisis in Cuba.
Have measures been taken to improve the transportation system in Havana?
The Cuban government has announced projects to restore buses through the repurposing of used parts and donations, such as those from China. Some buses have been reactivated and improvements in urban mobility are expected, but progress is slow and does not address the widespread public transportation crisis in the country.
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