The Eastern Railway Company (EFO) will enhance passenger transportation this summer by introducing new itineraries. The routes include Santiago-Manzanillo, Bayamo-Manzanillo, and Holguín-Antilla, with the potential addition of the Guantánamo-Holguín route, according to Yasnay Sánchez Robert, Director of Operations, who spoke with the daily Granma.
"We are repairing the formations, especially the Santiago-Manzanillo route, as well as large and medium-sized locomotives, and securing fuel to meet the schedules," Sánchez Robert explained. She also mentioned that state subsidies will continue to cover ticket prices, meaning no fare increases for these routes. These itineraries are expected to remain in service beyond July and August.
Currently, the eastern region of Cuba sees service from the Guantánamo-Santiago train (known as the "university train") on Mondays and Fridays, the Holguín-Las Tunas train from Monday to Saturday, the urban Bayamo-Mabay train, and the Santiago-Contramaestre train. Additionally, motorized coaches cover four daily routes between the city of Guaso and various localities in the easternmost part of the country.
Regarding national trains, they continue to depart every four days from provincial capitals to Havana and vice versa, managed by the National Routes Company. Marcia Sierra Gómez, Director of the Railway Equipment Repair Company, reported that comprehensive repairs are underway for the first of 16 high-capacity locomotives at the San Luis Railway Workshops, in collaboration with French personnel.
These repair efforts aim to gradually improve the transportation of both cargo and passengers, a system currently plagued by breakdowns and delays due to the prolonged use of the machinery. In mid-May, it was announced that the railway route between Pinar del Río and Havana, a crucial link for thousands of travelers, resumed operations after nearly four years of inactivity.
The railway service in Cuba faces severe challenges. Occasionally, viral images show travelers pushing an old train, as happened a few weeks ago with a train traveling between Sagua la Grande and Santa Clara in Villa Clara, an all-too-familiar scene in Cuba.
Key Information About Cuban Railway Services
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the recent updates and challenges of the railway services in Cuba.
What new train routes are being introduced in Eastern Cuba?
The new routes include Santiago-Manzanillo, Bayamo-Manzanillo, and Holguín-Antilla, with the potential addition of the Guantánamo-Holguín route.
Will there be any fare increases for these new routes?
No, state subsidies will continue to cover ticket prices, so there will be no fare increases for these routes.
What are the current challenges facing Cuban railway services?
The railway services are plagued by breakdowns and delays due to the prolonged use of the machinery. Viral images often show travelers pushing old trains, highlighting the system's severe challenges.