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A passenger lost her wallet during the ride on route 11 of the public taxis known as gacelas in Havana, but the drivers returned the item with all her documents, surprising many in a country where claims for lost items often go unanswered.
The story was recounted by Lucy González, who shared the event with the page on Facebook Transportación Habana TH.
He reported that upon arriving home, he realized that he had left his wallet in car 637, license plate 226929, of the route.
Amid the despair of losing her identification, she received an unexpected visit from the driver and the chauffeur of the vehicle, who returned her belongings to her.
"My wallet fell out of my bag in this car, and I was completely frantic when I got home and couldn’t find it. In the midst of my despair, the driver arrived with my identification card! Together with the driver, he returned my wallet to me. I have no words to express my gratitude," the passenger shared.
The driver identified as Tanier Fernández Delgado was one of the key figures in the gesture, although Lucy was unable to find out the name of the driver.
For the affected individual, it was a demonstration of honesty that deserves to be recognized publicly.
The isolated yet significant fact serves as a reminder that there are still gestures of honesty amidst the deep social crisis the country is experiencing, where citizens often complain about theft, losses, and the lack of institutional response to everyday situations.
Although the economic crisis has diminished acts of solidarity, there are still those who stand out as exceptions.
On July 4th, near Avenida Monumental in Havana, a driver of the A47 route deviated from his route to take a passenger showing signs of fainting to the hospital, where, thanks to his quick reaction and the support of the other passengers, medical attention was received in time.
In February 2024, a Cuban grandmother thanked on social media a Havana bus driver for helping her daughter during labor.
A similar situation occurred in March of last year when several Cubans expressed their gratitude to a driver in Havana who diverted a bus to assist a passenger. This involved a driver of route 488 who, while in service, altered the passenger bus's route to take an elderly man to the Emergency Services of Julio Trigo hospital.
Another recognition was given to a driver of route P13 who diverted the bus to the clinic to help a 10-year-old boy who was having a seizure inside the vehicle.
Similarly, a public transportation driver in Havana who assisted an elderly woman during the ride of his vehicle received gratitude for his noble action.
The incident took place in September 2024, when the driver of bus 707 on the P1 route in the Cuban capital "assisted an elderly woman at the 'La Benéfica' hospital, from Cuatro Caminos,” wrote the internet user Eliosmy Hernández in the group Facebook "Real-Time Route Report".
A coachman in Cárdenas, Matanzas province, was recognized on social media at the beginning of 2024 for the gesture of returning a wallet to a passenger who had left it behind in the animal-drawn vehicle.
But these events are not limited to transportation. In early August, a garage seller on the Isle of Youth demonstrated that decency is not extinct in Cuba by posting a message to find a customer who, unknowingly, paid more than the cost of a dress and wanted to return the money.
Zucel Sandy Mosqueda, a member of the Facebook group “La Gente del Salao” in Santiago de Cuba, recently shared her gratitude to the person who returned her wallet with all her documents and a substantial amount of money, with absolutely nothing missing.
Last June, a hotel worker in Varadero returned a bag containing $30,000 to its owner, a gesture that was highlighted by the state media.
Two cadets from the Instituto Técnico Militar (ITM)
In October 2024, a mother expressed her gratitude on social media towards a young man who, with an altruistic and honest gesture, returned a tablet that her grandson had lost at the Colón road stop in Pinar del Río.
Frequently Asked Questions about Honesty and Safety in Public Transport in Havana
How was the lost wallet recovered in a Gazelle taxi in Havana?
A passenger lost her wallet in a taxi on route 11 in Havana. To her surprise, the drivers of the vehicle, including Tanier Fernández Delgado, returned the wallet with all the documents intact, showcasing a rare act of honesty in the current context of the island. The wallet was returned by the taxi drivers, demonstrating a gesture of honesty.
What other acts of honesty have been recorded in Cuba in similar situations?
In Cuba, several acts of honesty have been reported, such as that of a hotel worker in Varadero who returned a bag containing 30,000 dollars to its owner. Additionally, two cadets from the Military Technical Institute returned a backpack with a large sum of money and documents. These gestures are exceptional and highlight the integrity of some citizens amidst the economic crisis.
What risks do Gazelle taxi drivers face in Havana?
Taxi drivers of Gazelle in Havana face significant risks, including physical assaults. For instance, one driver was attacked for refusing to transport passengers with excess baggage, and another suffered a head injury after being attacked with stones. These assaults reflect the insecurity and daily challenges faced by drivers in the current context of Cuba.
How do thefts in public transport affect citizens in Havana?
Robberies on public transportation in Havana are a constant concern for citizens. Incidents such as the theft of a cell phone on a bus have led drivers to take the vehicles to the police for investigation. Insecurity in public transportation creates anxiety and mistrust among passengers.
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