The Gazelle taxi service, operated by Taxis Cuba, has halted its operations in Havana due to a severe fuel shortage, as announced by the company on social media this Friday. The Facebook page "Rutas en Tiempo Real" highlighted the issue, stating that the Gazelle vehicles have not been refueled. "Currently, none of them are running. The few that are operational are inadequate to meet our demands," the company stated.
They elaborated that there is no fuel available for these vehicles and expressed apologies for the inconvenience. "We understand the importance of this service to our community and are working diligently to resolve this situation as quickly as possible," they added.
The Gazelle microbus service in Havana, known colloquially as the "gazelles," consists of 435 vehicles serving 23 routes. It is now facing significant challenges, with fewer than 200 buses currently operational, indicating that over 60% of the fleet is out of service.
Last December, Cuba's Ministry of Transportation explained that the lack of fuel was impacting vehicle operations, as the 9,800 liters of diesel allocated daily were insufficient to meet demand. Additional factors such as a lack of spare parts, technical issues, and social indiscipline exacerbate the problem. Of the 23 routes, 14 are particularly problematic due to poor road conditions—routes 17, 6, 9, 8, 11, and 23—and passenger misconduct, especially among students on routes 17, 13, 20, 4, 5, 24, 14, 3, and 16.
The Transport Minister pointed out that the main challenges include technical stoppages in workshops and issues due to a lack of parts, accessories, and fuel. The fuel provided is insufficient for longer routes, ranging from 24 to 26 km, affecting the completion of these routes.
In response to the crisis, the Metrotaxis subsidiary of Taxis Cuba has implemented several measures, such as redistributing fuel, extending refueling hours, enhancing route controls, and penalizing service violations. However, these efforts have proven inadequate.
Impact of Fuel Shortage on Havana's Taxi Services
What is causing the taxi shortage in Havana?
The shortage is primarily due to a fuel crisis that has left many Gazelle taxis unable to operate. Additional issues include a lack of spare parts and technical problems.
How are authorities addressing the taxi service disruptions?
Taxis Cuba's Metrotaxis subsidiary is attempting to mitigate the disruptions by redistributing fuel, extending refueling hours, and improving route controls. However, these measures have not been fully effective.