National trains departing from Havana will modify their usual schedules during the summer months, starting in July and continuing until September 30, 2025, due to the low availability of cars and locomotives.
The information was published this Monday by the official account Rutas Nacionales on Facebook, where the change is attributed to the need to redistribute resources and enable additional trains to meet the high demand for passengers during this period, including students, athletes, and workers.
According to the entity, some cars from the train arriving from the eastern provinces will be reused for the departure of trains from the capital, which requires time for technical maintenance, cleaning, provisioning, and sometimes also the use of the same locomotive.
Although the efforts of the staff from National Railways and other involved entities are acknowledged, in practice, the schedules have been progressively shifting, leading to long waits at the terminals.
Therefore, new official schedules have been established: train No. 1 heading to Santiago de Cuba will depart at 10:15 p.m. (previously 7:15 p.m.); train No. 3 to Guantánamo will leave at 10:00 p.m. (previously 7:00 p.m.); train No. 5 to Holguín will depart at 10:05 p.m. (previously 7:05 p.m.); and train No. 7 to Bayamo-Manzanillo will leave at 11:20 p.m. (previously 7:20 p.m.).
Return trains from these destinations will maintain their current schedules, the source indicated.
Although the authorities claim that the measure aims to optimize the service and minimize impacts on the population, the reality is that it once again highlights the operational precariousness of the Cuban railway system, which operates at the limit with aging resources, tight planning, and emergency solutions.
While national trains from Havana suffer systematic delays due to a lack of cars and locomotives, the authorities continue to promote actions that do little to solve the structural problems of rail transport in Cuba.
The return of the train to Expocuba was introduced as a "festive" alternative to ease mobility during the summer, although the route is limited and lacks significance for the interprovincial trips that are most in need.
Similarly, the announcement of the recovery of the Hershey train —which connects areas between Havana and Matanzas— was publicized as an achievement, despite the minimal frequency of the service and the local reach of the line, which lacks the capacity to meet national demand.
In another example of disconnection from real priorities, the regime promoted technical tests to provide Wi-Fi on trains, despite the fact that a significant portion of the railway fleet continues to operate with deteriorated carriages, lacking adequate ventilation and minimum safety.
Frequently asked questions about changes to national train schedules in Cuba
Why have the national train schedules from Havana been changed this summer?
The schedules for national trains from Havana have been modified due to the limited availability of cars and locomotives. This measure aims to redistribute resources to meet the high passenger demand during the summer months.
What are the new departure times for trains from Havana?
The new schedules are: train No. 1 to Santiago de Cuba leaves at 10:15 p.m.; No. 3 to Guantánamo at 10:00 p.m.; No. 5 to Holguín at 10:05 p.m.; and No. 7 to Bayamo-Manzanillo at 11:20 p.m. These changes reflect a three-hour delay compared to the previous schedules.
How does the transportation crisis in Cuba affect train services?
The transportation crisis in Cuba significantly impacts train services, evidenced by the operational precariousness of the railway system, which operates at the limit with aging resources and tight planning. This results in frequent delays and long waits for passengers.
What transportation alternatives does the Cuban government offer during the summer?
In addition to the national trains, the government has enabled the "beach train" as an economical option to facilitate access to the Eastern Beaches. Some National Bus routes have also been resumed, although these measures barely meet a small portion of the transportation demand in the country.
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