The first Yutong branded rail bus set to operate in Cuba will begin its testing phase in the coming days, according to a report from Cuban Television which also described the features of this newly adapted mode of transportation.
The Deputy Logistics Director of the Camagüey Provincial Transportation Company, Luis Beltrán Pérez, stated that they had to negotiate with a group of insurers to "source essential parts that were unavailable and not entering the country."
Among the elements incorporated into the rail bus are the bumper, sand spreader, and railway wheels, enabling it to travel on train tracks. "The most complex task during the manufacturing of this equipment was adapting the tires to railway wheels," mentioned Félix Caballero Velazco, a mechanic of railway equipment.
The rail bus, which will serve 12 communities in the municipalities of Santa Cruz del Sur and Vertientes, has a capacity for 36 seated passengers and 25 standing.
A report from the local newspaper Adelante detailed that the Yutong vehicle was transported to Camagüey from Havana for urban service. However, due to a lack of several components and amidst the severe transportation crisis affecting the entire country, it was decided to transform it to operate on railway lines.
These transformations had been previously done with Diana buses, but never with Yutong buses due to the complexity posed by the vehicle's dimensions, which are approximately 12 meters in length, according to the cited source.
Last year, the Camagüey Provincial Transportation Company revealed that their bus fleet was operating at 35% capacity due to a shortage of fuel and spare parts.
Yutong Rail Bus Adaptation: Key Questions & Answers
In light of the introduction of the Yutong rail bus in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions that provide further insight into this development.
Why was the Yutong bus transformed into a rail bus?
The transformation was necessary due to the severe transportation crisis in Cuba and the lack of essential components for urban bus service, making it more feasible to adapt the vehicle for railway use.
What modifications were made to the Yutong bus?
Modifications included the addition of a bumper, sand spreader, and railway wheels, as well as the complex task of adapting tires for railway use.
How many passengers can the Yutong rail bus accommodate?
The Yutong rail bus can accommodate 36 seated passengers and 25 standing passengers.