Related videos:
The Ministry of Transport of Cuba (MITRANS) reported this Wednesday on the severe impacts of Hurricane Melissa on the country’s railway, air, road, and maritime infrastructure, particularly in eastern Cuba, and announced measures to gradually restore services as conditions permit.
In an update published by Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila on his official Facebook profile, MITRANS explained that train, bus, and flight services to the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Granma-Manzanillo remain canceled, the areas most affected by the passage of the category 3 hurricane.
Rail services suspended
National and local passenger trains remain suspended due to damage to the railway infrastructure and the need to assess the safety of the tracks. According to the statement, the canceled trains are:
- 29/10: Train No. 17 (Havana–Bayamo–Manzanillo) – Canceled in Havana.
- 29/10: Train No. 12 (Santiago de Cuba–Havana) – Canceled due to lack of pairing.
- 30/10: Train No. 13 (Havana–Guantánamo) – Canceled in Havana.
- 30/10: Train No. 16 (Holguín–Havana) – Canceled due to the absence of its corresponding service.
- 31/10: Train No. 11 (Havana–Santiago de Cuba) – Canceled in Havana.
- 31/10: Train No. 18 (Manzanillo–Bayamo–Havana) – Canceled due to the absence of its counterpart.
MITRANS pointed out that specialists from the Union of Railways of Cuba are conducting a comprehensive review of the railway tracks to assess the damage and begin the repair and safety certification work before resuming train operations.
National buses and VIAZUL services
National bus services, including those of the tourist company VIAZUL and freight services, remain canceled to and from the provinces of Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo.
The road infrastructure will be checked to determine if safe bus circulation is possible. We will keep the public informed about the restoration of services, specified the MITRANS statement.
Domestic and international flights suspended
The Antonio Maceo airport (Santiago de Cuba) and Frank País airport (Holguín) remain closed until further notice. Domestic and international flights are suspended while technical evaluations are conducted on the runways, control towers, and air navigation systems.
The specialized forces of the civil aviation system and the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba are working tirelessly to restore operations as quickly as possible, stated Rodríguez Dávila.
Partial resumption of maritime transport
In contrast, the ministry announced that, due to the improvement in weather conditions, passenger maritime transportation will resume on October 30 in the Gerona–Batabanó–Cayo Largo del Sur triangle.
Passengers who do not wish to travel can receive a full 100% refund of the ticket price up to 15 days after the suspension, while those who wish to reschedule their trip must contact the offices of the company Viajero to arrange new dates based on availability.
Road infrastructure in the recovery phase
MITRANS reported that, in coordination with the National Highway Center and provincial structures, it has begun the assessment of the damage to roads, bridges, and highways in eastern Cuba, many of which were affected by flooding and landslides.
In the Recovery Phase, an immediate strategy for repairing the roads will be established to allow for the restoration of various services, ensuring the safety of passengers and transportation means, the official statement added.
Transportation, under the orders of the Defense Councils
Rodríguez Dávila assured that the transportation companies in the country remain under the orders of the Defense Councils of the affected provinces, collaborating in the transfer of rescue brigades, humanitarian resources, and reconstruction materials.
MITRANS reiterated that the normalization of transportation services will depend on the evolution of the state of the roads and the weather conditions in the areas most affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Filed under: