In Havana, the fleet of Gazelle minibuses, commonly called "gacelas," is facing significant operational challenges. Out of a total of 435 vehicles spread across 23 routes, merely 225 to 228 are currently in service, equating to just over 60% of the entire fleet.
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, from the Cuban Ministry of Transport, attributes this primarily to a fuel shortage. The daily allocation of 9,800 liters of diesel is simply insufficient to meet the high demand. On Facebook, the minister highlighted that daily, between 40 and 45 minibuses suffer from breakdowns due to overuse and the poor condition of the roads.
As of November, these vehicles, which are operated by private transporters in government-affiliated cooperatives, managed to complete over 157,000 trips, serving more than two million passengers. Nonetheless, the situation is exacerbated by a lack of spare parts, technical problems, and social indiscipline.
Challenges Facing Havana's Public Transport
Rodríguez Dávila detailed that of the 23 routes, 14 are particularly challenging, with issues ranging from poor road conditions on routes 17, 6, 9, 8, 11, and 23, to social indiscipline mainly involving students on routes 17, 13, 20, 4, 5, 24, 14, 3, and 16.
He identified key service problems as workshop-related technical stoppages, lack of parts and accessories, and insufficient fuel for the entire fleet. Routes with longer distances, between 24 and 26 km, are especially affected, impacting the final rounds of service.
Additionally, Rodríguez Dávila noted that refueling stations are sometimes 20 to 40 km away, further complicating service continuity. Other issues include deteriorating roads, broken side doors, and damage to windows and seats due to overuse and social indiscipline.
Efforts to Mitigate the Crisis
Amidst these difficulties, Taxis Cuba's subsidiary, Metrotaxis, has initiated several measures. They are redistributing fuel, extending refueling hours, enhancing route controls, and penalizing service violations. Efforts are also being made to improve taxi stands and update tools like the Rutero app to provide better service.
Despite some progress, significant challenges remain in ensuring quality service under current conditions. In September, the service in Havana was once again disrupted due to fuel shortages, just two months after a similar halt occurred in July.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havana's Gazelle Taxis
What are the main reasons for the operational challenges of Havana's Gazelle minibuses?
The primary reasons include insufficient fuel supply, technical breakdowns, lack of spare parts, and social indiscipline.
How many passengers have been transported by the Gazelle minibuses this year?
As of November, the Gazelle minibuses have transported over two million passengers.
What measures are being taken to address the issues with Gazelle minibuses?
Measures include redistributing fuel, extending refueling hours, improving route controls, and updating user tools like the Rutero app.