The current transportation crisis affecting the province of Santiago de Cuba has led to ongoing tension between private transport operators and the local government, highlighting the regime's inability to solve one of the most persistent issues facing the population.
A report published on YouTube last Sunday by the official channel Tele Turquino underscores the contradictions within the sector: on one side, private transporters claim that adhering to the agreed fare results in no profit; on the other side, the regime insists that they can lower prices because fuel is supplied to them.
A private transporter explained that they attempt to align with the established fare but often end up charging more. He stated, "If we stick to the government-set price for the entire month, we have no profit at all."
He pointed to the route between the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Contramaestre, where the set price ranges from 25 to 50 pesos. However, they are compelled to charge between 150 and 200 pesos. "That's the reality," he noted.
A Contramaestre municipal official assured the official channel that the fare private transporters should charge is "agreed upon," arguing that they are supplied with fuel daily. However, neither the regime representative nor the journalistic report explained that the poor condition of the roads necessitates more frequent maintenance of the transport vehicles.
Conveniently, the report also fails to mention the cost of hiring private mechanics for repairs or the expense of replacement parts, which are often imported and paid for in MLC or USD.
Continued Transport Issues and Bureaucratic Solutions
Moreover, the report exposed that the regime has not addressed one of the oldest demands of the Contramaestre population: bolstering transportation during peak hours, which coincide with times when people are heading to schools and workplaces or returning home.
As part of a regime strategy, the report boasted about a motor coach that travels to Santiago de Cuba from Contramaestre twice a week and covers the route to Dos Ríos in Palma Soriano on the other days. The official admitted that for the villages located between Contramaestre and Dos Ríos, there is no other way to get there, demonstrating that private transporters fill the gaps left by the regime's inefficiencies in mobility.
Finally, the report praised the state's management and highlighted another achievement: the implementation of two daily bus trips to Santiago de Cuba, one of which is designated for people with medical appointments in the main city hospitals.
A worker at the bus terminal explained that the procedure requires the Public Health department to send a list of patients needing to travel to Santiago de Cuba, exemplifying the regime's bureaucratic solutions to problems.
Recently, the Santiago de Cuba government adopted another desperate measure in response to the transportation crisis: forcing state company drivers to transport the population during peak demand times.
Noralquis Guerra Guevara, director of the Unidad Empresarial Terminales y Medios Alternativos of Santiago de Cuba, reported that 110 units are participating in "solidarity transportation" with their vehicles, according to the official newspaper Sierra Maestra. However, she warned that of the total entities that could alleviate the crisis with their vehicles, "3% have not joined this activity due to a deficit in their automotive fleet," further highlighting the precarious state of transportation in the province.
Understanding the Transportation Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
Given the ongoing issues in Santiago de Cuba's transportation sector, here are some frequently asked questions to better understand the situation.
Why are private transporters in Santiago de Cuba charging higher fares?
Private transporters claim that the fares set by the government do not cover their costs, including maintenance, repairs, and imported parts, forcing them to charge higher fares to stay afloat.
What solutions has the regime proposed to address the transportation crisis?
The regime has implemented measures such as a motor coach service and two daily bus trips to Santiago de Cuba, one of which is reserved for medical patients. They have also mandated state company drivers to assist during peak hours.
How does the condition of the roads affect private transporters?
Poor road conditions necessitate more frequent vehicle maintenance and repairs, increasing costs for private transporters and contributing to higher fares.