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The 19 de Noviembre train station, located on Tulipán Street in Havana, was reopened on Wednesday after several months of renovations that transformed the facility.
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, confirmed the resumption of services through a post on Facebook, where he emphasized that the terminal will provide "comfort and security" to the thousands of passengers who travel daily between Pinar del Río, Artemisa, and the Cuban capital.
The opening took place on November 19, a date that coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of the Cuban railway 188 years ago, the first in Latin America.
For the official, this is "a day of celebration" and also a commitment to continue "recovering and developing the Cuban railway," a system that, he stated, "persists despite everything."
An almost complete reconstruction
The renovation was carried out by Ferromar S.A., financed by the Public Transportation Development Fund, and included a complete renewal of the roof, with adjusted slopes to prevent leaks, the rehabilitation of the sanitary network, and the restoration of a large portion of the flooring.
In addition, new bathrooms were installed, the entire building was repainted, and a perimeter fence was erected to ensure security.
One of the most significant elements of this project was the installation of its own generator, designed to ensure continuity of service amid the frequent power outages that affect the country and have also harmed the already deteriorated rail transport.
On the other hand, as the minister detailed, Tulipán is now an "integrated service point," as it combines the railway terminal, a reorganized café for travelers, and the Viajero Agency, which will allow passengers to purchase tickets and manage their travel without having to go to other locations.
The exterior area was also redesigned to provide more comfortable waiting areas, and a nursing room was created for mothers with babies, a rarity in public facilities in Cuba.
A necessary improvement in a critical landscape
Although the reopening of Tulipán has been presented as an achievement, the changes at this station simultaneously highlight the precariousness of Cuban rail transport and the sense of helplessness the population faces when traveling within the country.
The railway, historically significant but today plagued by breakdowns, lack of maintenance, and poor planning, is one of the most problematic means of transportation in Cuba, affected by resource shortages, technical deterioration, delays, and constant failures, including derailments.
Despite the official celebration, thousands of Cubans who rely on the train to travel from western provinces to the capital continue to face long waits, difficulties accessing tickets, unstable services, and minimal mobility conditions.
The re-inaugurated station, with its new restrooms, polished floors, and remodeled café, stands in stark contrast to the overall railway reality of the country, where a lack of sustained investment and efficient transportation policies has left citizens virtually powerless in the face of their mobility needs.
The reopening of this terminal undoubtedly represents a local improvement. However, it does not address the structural issues that hinder the transportation of millions of Cubans who rely on the train, and a public transport system that continues to deteriorate, while the government announces small isolated victories amid an increasingly profound crisis.
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