The service of the Gazzelle microbuses, operated by Taxis Cuba, came to a halt this Thursday in Havana due to unstable fuel supplies, dealing a severe blow to thousands of residents in the capital.
On its Facebook page, the group reported the situation and explained their usual operation: The Gazzelle microbuses refuel during the night and early morning hours to provide route services to the population the following day. However, due to the fuel crisis in the country, there have been difficulties in the last 24 hours with refueling at designated points for Metrotaxi vehicles, resulting in the inability to cover routes according to the established schedules.
Additionally, they stated that "drivers have managed to provide part of the service on the routes with the remaining fuel in their vehicle tanks."
"We are aware of how important this service is for the mobility of the population in the Cuban capital, and we apologize to our customers for this situation. We inform you that the service will soon be restored and will operate normally," expressed Taxis Cuba.
This scenario is becoming increasingly common. In March, residents of Havana faced difficulties in transportation due to the reduction of the service itself, owing to the ongoing fuel crisis plaguing the country.
In Cuba, public transportation is in a critical state, evidenced by the numbers of buses currently operating in the capital: 252 units according to official figures, a number that falls short compared to the 309 that are out of service.
The dire situation extends nationwide. The Cuban government acknowledged the transportation crisis on Tuesday, revealing that over half of the provincial routes are halted, as reported during the session of the Cuban Parliament.
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation (Mitrans), indicated that as of the end of April, 52% of the routes of provincial transportation companies were paralyzed, according to the official newspaper Granma. The minister explained that of the active provincial routes, 86% operate with only one trip in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Rodríguez admitted that the situation is more critical in the provinces of Camagüey, Granma, Villa Clara, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, Matanzas, and Artemisa.
Understanding the Fuel Crisis Impact on Havana's Transportation
In light of the current fuel crisis in Cuba, many residents are struggling with transportation issues. Here are some frequently asked questions about the situation and its impact.
Why are the Gazzelle microbuses not operating in Havana?
The Gazzelle microbuses are not operating due to unstable fuel supplies that prevent refueling and the subsequent provision of their route services.
What measures are Taxis Cuba taking to address the issue?
Taxis Cuba has stated that drivers are using the remaining fuel in their tanks to provide partial service and that they are working on restoring normal operations soon.
How widespread is the transportation crisis in Cuba?
The transportation crisis affects the entire country, with over half of the provincial routes being paralyzed and many buses in the capital out of service.
Which provinces are most affected by the transportation crisis?
The provinces most affected include Camagüey, Granma, Villa Clara, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, Matanzas, and Artemisa.