A new transportation option between Matanzas and Havana began operating this Monday, but its fare is already causing controversy. The small and medium-sized enterprise LCD Viajes launched a bus service with a cost of 3,000 Cuban pesos per trip, a price that many users deem unaffordable for most of the population.
According to TV Yumurí, the service uses a Yutong bus leased from the state-owned company Transmetro, under the collaboration scheme between the state sector and small and medium-sized enterprises promoted by the Government.
The bus departs daily at 7:00 a.m. from the Matanzas Bus Terminal, located on Calzada General Betancourt, heading to Parque de la Fraternidad in Havana via Vía Blanca. Boarding begins half an hour prior and no reservation is required: passengers take their seats on a first-come, first-served basis until the vehicle reaches capacity.
The return trip departs at 11:00 a.m. from Central Park in Havana to Matanzas.
For those living in Colón, the company has also established a link that departs at 4:15 in the morning from Mario Muñoz Street to connect with the main route.
Although many travelers welcome the emergence of a new alternative amidst the transportation crisis, the ticket price has been the center of the debate.
According to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), the average salary in Cuba reached 7,074 pesos per month in April 2026. This means that a single trip consumes about 43% of the monthly income of an average worker.
In the case of retirees, the impact is even greater.
"3,000 pesos. Just half of my salary. And exactly what many retirees earn," commented a user on TV Yumurí's post.
Another internet user was even more graphic: "The trip costs the monthly pension of any retiree."
An expensive option... but cheaper than others
Despite the criticisms, several users pointed out that the new service remains more affordable than other available alternatives.
The so-called "private cars" can charge up to 4,000 pesos for the journey between Matanzas and Havana, while some travelers recalled that state transportation has even sold tickets for up to 5,000 pesos this year due to a shortage of capacity.
"It's a good option; the machines cost 4,000," wrote a user, although she warned that it will be necessary to arrive early to get a seat.
The launch of this route comes amidst the profound deterioration of public transport in Cuba.
Since early 2026, authorities in Matanzas acknowledged that the provincial service was virtually paralyzed due to a lack of fuel. Nationwide, state passenger transportation has drastically declined and the frequency of interprovincial trips continues to be insufficient to meet demand.
In light of this situation, the Government has chosen to lease state-owned buses to small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes) and private operators, a model under which the LCD Viajes service operates.
TV Yumurí noted that many residents of Matanzas continue to go to the Viaducto, a traditional departure point for informal transportation to Havana, due to their unawareness of this new route, and invited the public to spread the information so that more people can utilize it.
However, among the comments, a common concern prevailed: although the new service broadens mobility options, its price remains out of reach for a large portion of Cubans who need to travel for work, medical appointments, or essential procedures.
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