Havana transit bus riders speak with a Prensa Latina reporter from the core of a gleaming Chinese vehicle in rush hour traffic.
Two buses passed in 19 minutes, and the first was full but the second was accessible after some pushing into a space filled with the voice of pop singer Alvaro Torres, who crooned "remember that everything in this world has a price."

The speakers worked, but a man complained that the public address system was "already broken" and the driver was unable to ask people to push to the back of the long articulated cavern, with capacity for over 100 people.

When queried whether he liked the recently purchased transit bus, one of thousands being imported to Cuba from Yutong manufacturers in China, his negativity softened and he agreed they were very fast. The companys website boasts receiving a High-speed Bus Model Award, for "power as well as Chinese bus charm."

The former complainer gripped the hand ring as the vehicle swiftly negotiated the busy route and said the new coaches were safe too.

One of the enemies of these new-fangled people movers is the old-fashioned potholes, and word on the streets says there are zones that have the low-floored buses waiting for road work to be completed before the vehicles are released.

But the P-4 route is in full swing, and a Havana University professor is happy about that. The 43 year-old Mirta said the best thing about these new means of transportation is the music, which she said claimed is almost always Cuban bolero.

She recalled a story from less than a year ago, when beast-like tractor trailers called camels were modified with seats and stuffed full of people. Those standing on the unbearably slow runs often set their heavy bags on the laps of those seated, and she said one day someone trusted her with a sack. When the passenger finally got off, the edible goods were accidentally left with Mirta, who did not deny salvaging them in her kitchen.

Claudio, an acting student at the Higher Arts Institute, says from the articulation in the middle of the folding vehicle that some memories like bad odors and petty crime still remain, but when asked if he has had a hand explore his pockets on the new buses he said no.

He defended public responsibility in preserving these recent acquisitions, and so does the State, which has been documented in Granma newspaper as sentencing vandals to years of prison for breaking windshields. These cost 900 dollars to replace and worse still, may remove the bus from service for days.

According to www.chinabuses.com, Cuban workers have completed training at Yutong, and more is scheduled as part of the sustainable company policy to "not only give fish, but to teach how to fish."

For certain one is hard strapped to find grounded criticism about the changes underway in Cuban transportation and even Claudio says that comparatively, things are "much, much better."

As this reporter steps off the bus, the bolero lyrics from the bus remain in his head "suddenly I am falling in love again."

(PL)