The release of the national train schedule for August 2026 sparked a wave of criticism on social media, where dozens of Cubans denounced corruption in ticket allocation, resale at exorbitant prices, and a lack of transparency in a system that, they claim, leaves thousands of people with no real opportunities to travel.
The calendar, shared by the Facebook page Rutas Nacionales, confirms that trains to the eastern provinces will continue to operate with a minimum frequency. There will be departures every 16 days to Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Bayamo-Manzanillo, while train 15 to Holguín is scheduled for only one departure throughout the month: on August 16.
The official publication itself acknowledged the limitations of the service, although it attributed the situation to the challenges facing the sector.
"We recognize the effort of the workers throughout the railway system to maintain this service under the current suffocating conditions," the message states.
"You have to pay a fortune to travel."
Users' reaction was immediate. Many asked where and how to purchase the tickets, questions that remained unanswered by the website's administration.
Soon, the comments turned into complaints about alleged irregularities in the sale of tickets.
"It's outrageous to see so much corruption in this regard, where you have to pay a fortune to travel," wrote a user.
Another person claimed to have gone several times to the office on 26th Street in Havana, without being able to obtain a ticket to return to Guantánamo.
"I have gone to the 26 office three times to see if I can return to Guantánamo from Havana, and the officials say that there is no capacity. How is this explained? Where are those capacities?" he questioned.
In the comments of the post, there was even an offer to buy two tickets for 20,000 Cuban pesos, reflecting the resale market that, according to numerous users, operates alongside the official system.
A questioned system of priorities
The crisis in railway transportation worsened following the measures taken by the Ministry of Transport (MITRANS).
In February 2026, the organization declared a "state of emergency" for national trains and reduced the frequency of services to the eastern part of the country to one departure every eight days.
Subsequently, starting from June 18, the frequency decreased again to one departure every 16 days. Additionally, the sale of tickets was halted and the use of the Viajando app for these services was suspended.
Instead, the government established a system through provincial and municipal commissions responsible for deciding who can travel based on the alleged urgency of each case.
For many Cubans, this new mechanism has favored discretion and corruption.
"When will the minister realize that the people are struggling with the new measures? Before, one used to travel with a return ticket. Now, it's a blessing to be able to get a ticket," wrote another user.
A recurring problem
The reports of irregularities in ticket sales are not new.
In 2025, cases of illegal ticket sales and irregular charges were documented within the train terminals of Sancti Spíritus.
In June 2026, several passengers reported that Viazul employees in Cienfuegos demanded an additional 10,000 Cuban pesos to allow boarding of a bus, even though the travelers already had valid tickets.
Even the government itself acknowledged the issue of ticket reselling in December 2024, when it reduced the maximum number of tickets that a person could purchase monthly through the Viajando app from 30 to 15.
Fewer and fewer trains
The complaints also highlight the general deterioration of railway transportation in Cuba.
Users in Pinar del Río expressed that their province still lacks regular service.
"And what about Pinar del Río? It seems we're not a province of this country," wrote one of them.
From Jobabo, in the province of Camagüey, others reported that frequent blackouts prevent them from connecting when the capacity to purchase tickets is enabled.
According to official data from July 2026, the National Passenger Train Company currently operates only 16 trains per month, far from the 62 monthly services it used to offer at its peak.
The reduction, close to 74%, has severely limited mobility options for millions of Cubans, who are forced to rely on private transportation, which is considered "excessive" by a large part of the population.
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