In Havana, the operation of electric tricycles during peak afternoon hours is hindered by their limited battery capacity, which allows for a maximum of just 16 trips per day without additional charging. This issue, acknowledged by Cuba's Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, in a recent Facebook post, leaves a gap in service between 3 PM and the evening—a critical time for commuter mobility when these vehicles are most needed.
To address this challenge, potential solutions are being explored, such as implementing a split schedule to cover both morning and afternoon peak hours or supplementing the afternoon routes with internal combustion vehicles, the minister emphasized.
The current service comprises 153 electric tricycles operating across 17 routes, spanning nine municipalities in the capital: Cerro, Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, Boyeros, Guanabacoa, Playa, and Marianao. Since September, 35 new tricycles have been added, enabling the launch of two new routes in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality and the extension of another route connecting Línea and 20 to the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital.
Between September 30 and November 22, this service completed 14,464 trips, transporting 86,784 passengers. However, Rodríguez also highlighted persistent issues such as frequent technical breakdowns and complaints about driver misconduct, which negatively impact the quality of service.
From September to October, 16 inspections were conducted at the Fontanar depot, resulting in nine disciplinary actions including fines up to 1,250 CUP, contract suspensions, and corrective measures to improve staff behavior. These measures were also applied to other routes.
In September, Havana's electric tricycle fleet received an infusion of 35 new vehicles, adding to the 118 already in operation. The Minister of Transportation announced on Facebook that these vehicles now serve 15 routes across eight municipalities. Authorities are currently assessing the optimal distribution of these tricycles.
The introduction of these new electric tricycles led to the establishment of two new passenger routes in Havana. The first route connects 23 and 26 with 23 and L, two urban hubs in El Vedado, while the second links 23 and 26 to the Ciudad Deportiva and the Joaquín Albarrán Clinical-Surgical Hospital (Clínico de 26) in El Cerro, Rodríguez reported on Facebook.
Challenges and Solutions for Havana's Electric Tricycles
Why do electric tricycles in Havana not operate during afternoon peak hours?
The limited battery capacity of the electric tricycles prevents them from operating continuously throughout the day, necessitating downtime during afternoon peak hours.
What solutions are being considered to improve the tricycle service in Havana?
Authorities are considering implementing a split schedule to cover both morning and afternoon peak hours and reinforcing routes with traditional vehicles.
What are the main challenges affecting the quality of the tricycle service?
Frequent technical issues and driver misconduct are major challenges impacting the service quality of Havana's electric tricycles.