A couple of YouTubers who document on social media how to survive in Cuba recently gained access to what they describe as "the largest bus graveyard in Havana," a massive junkyard located in San Agustín, in the municipality of La Lisa.
In the video, the young woman displays dozens of rusty buses, stripped of doors, windows, floors, and seats, reduced to mere shells exposed to the elements.
"What really stands out is that most of them are local route buses, which today are nothing more than scraps. At first glance, the abandonment and vandalism in the area are evident, leaving only junk for raw materials."
"Although it is true that these deposits exist in all countries, in Cuba they will always be more relevant due to the severe crisis facing transportation on the island," he explained.
The route showcases a scene of neglect that the locals are all too familiar with: an open area, unprotected, commonly traversed by the residents of the area.
Far from being a controlled deposit, it has become a visible symbol of the ruin of the urban transport system in the capital.
The reflection of a national crisis
What has been documented by the YouTubers is not an isolated event.
In June, images circulated on social media showed the San Agustín and Arimao terminals in similar conditions: semi-collapsed buildings, rusted structures, and articulated buses bearing the official colors of the La Habana Provincial Transport Company reduced to scrap.
Those facilities, once vital centers for urban transportation, today resemble industrial graveyards. Most of the vehicles have been stripped of their wheels, engines, and windows, rendered useless amid neglect and official indifference.
The Cuban government itself acknowledged the extent of the collapse in March.
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, admitted that in 2024, only 35% of the planned bus services were executed, due to the shortage of fuel, lubricants, and spare parts, as well as the obsolescence of the vehicle fleet.
Of the more than 2,500 urban routes that existed, nearly half are currently suspended, and many of those that are still operating barely make two trips a day.
Insufficient recovery promises
To try to alleviate the crisis, this month the regime announced the arrival of a shipment of parts and equipment from China, intended for the rehabilitation of out-of-service buses.
According to the authorities, they expect to recover between 40 and 50 vehicles before the end of the year, with the goal of reaching a total of around 100.
However, the figures contrast with the actual needs of a city with over two million inhabitants who rely on public transportation to travel to hospitals, workplaces, and schools.
The so-called "cooperation" with China barely represents a temporary relief in the face of decades of neglect, poor state management, and policies that never addressed the root problem.
Direct consequences for the population
The impact of this crisis is evident in daily life: crowded bus stops for hours, suspended routes, overcrowded buses traveling with passengers hanging from the doors, and workers arriving late to their jobs due to a lack of transportation.
What would be a logistical problem in other countries has become a structural obstacle in Cuba, deepening the economic precariousness of its citizens.
The "bus cemetery" of San Agustín, now viral thanks to social media, not only highlights the decline of a collapsed system.
It also stands as a metaphor for Cuban socialism: a model incapable of sustaining basic services that condemns the population to survive amid ruins, broken promises, and increasingly impossible urban mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Collapse of Public Transportation in Cuba
What is the "bus graveyard" in Havana?
The "bus cemetery" in Havana is a junkyard located in San Agustín, in the municipality of La Lisa, where dozens of rusted and dismantled buses are found. This place symbolizes the decay of the urban transportation system in the Cuban capital, impacted by a lack of maintenance and resources.
What is the current situation of public transportation in Cuba?
Public transportation in Cuba is in a critical state, with a large number of routes shut down and vehicles out of service due to a lack of fuel, spare parts, and the deterioration of the vehicle fleet. Despite promises of recovery, the solutions have been inadequate to meet the needs of the population.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to improve public transportation?
The Cuban government has tried to mitigate the public transport crisis with the arrival of parts and equipment from China, as well as the reuse of components from dismantled vehicles. However, these measures have been insufficient given the magnitude of the problem, which persists due to poor state management and the lack of a long-term strategy.
How does the transportation crisis affect the Cuban population?
The transportation crisis in Cuba has a significant impact on the daily lives of the population. Citizens face long waits at bus stops, suspended routes, and overcrowded buses, which makes it difficult for them to get to hospitals, workplaces, and schools. This situation worsens economic precariousness and the quality of life on the island.
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