A Cuban had to pay 2,400 pesos to transport an additional 12 kilograms of luggage on a state bus, an amount equivalent to nearly 75% of the monthly minimum wage in Cuba.
The passenger reported on Facebook what happened during a trip taken on November 1st and shared the payment receipt, while questioning the high cost of a service that many Cubans use to transport food and other products between provinces.
"It is no longer enough with the abusive prices in the private sector, and now the state sector is also joining in on inflating prices," he lamented.
Facebook.
According to the receipt issued by the National Bus Company (EON), the traveler had 32 kilograms of luggage, of which 20 were included in the ticket. For the remaining 12 kilograms, they had to pay 200 pesos for each.
The charge for excess baggage is common in transportation services, and it has not been proven that the applied fee violates existing regulations. The passenger's complaint focuses on its high amount relative to Cuban salaries
"Due to a 12 kg overweight, I had to pay the considerable amount of 2,400 pesos, nearly a minimum wage. It's simple: either you pay or you don't travel, it's that easy," he expressed.
The amount represents 74.8% of the monthly minimum wage of 3,210 pesos, set in July 2026.
The complainant explained that there is a printed resolution at the Ciego de Ávila terminal announcing the new baggage fees, although they did not identify the provision that establishes those prices.
Beyond the amount, the Cuban drew attention to a common reality on the island: those who travel to visit their family members often bring food and other items that are hard to come by.
"It is well known that when Cubans travel, we carry a lot of baggage, because if we have to travel to another province, we need to bring food to help our relatives wherever we will be staying," he explained.
The post sparked reactions from other internet users, who shared their experiences regarding transportation costs. One person claimed to have paid 10,000 pesos to transport a television from Havana, while another recounted that a passenger was required to pay for three seats, totaling 54,000 pesos, to transport their luggage in a private vehicle.
The complaint coincides with the severe deterioration of interprovincial transportation in Cuba. In October, the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, acknowledged that daily departures from Havana fell from 419 in 2025 to just 11 in 2026.
In light of the high cost of the service, the passenger requested an explanation from the authorities.
"I hope that MITRANS provides us with a logical explanation for this increase in tariffs. It is now almost on par in cost with a private or rented bus," he concluded.
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