New Air-Conditioned Microbuses: A Temporary Fix for Havana’s Transport Crisis

The Cuban Ministry of Transportation has announced the impending arrival of 100 new Foton brand microbuses, each equipped with air conditioning and seating for 14 passengers. These vehicles aim to bolster Havana's beleaguered public transport system, which has been in a crisis for several years. While these microbuses are introduced as a measure to ease congestion on the most affected routes, they are set to serve existing itineraries of the "gazelles," many of which are currently out of commission due to prolonged technical issues.

Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila shared on Facebook that these microbuses, now being prepared for service, were purchased with funds generated by state-owned exporting companies in the transportation sector, particularly from civil aviation. Although details on pricing, routes, and schedules remain unspecified, further information is expected soon. Taxis-Cuba, the managing entity, clarified on Facebook that these vehicles will be operated by the Metrotaxi branch across 23 routes in the capital where the gazelles currently run.

Importantly, these new microbuses are not expanding the current fleet; instead, they will replace inactive units, with the malfunctioning gazelles being sent to other provinces for repairs aided by the Public Transport Development Fund. The legal processes, including registration, technical inspection, and labeling, are already underway, with gradual integration into service anticipated.

Although this initiative might provide temporary relief for certain routes, its overall impact remains uncertain. The limited capacity of just 14 seats per microbus falls short of resolving, or even significantly alleviating, Havana’s transportation crisis. The city's public transport has been severely impaired by a deteriorating fleet and fuel shortages, drastically affecting residents' mobility.

The Cuban government did not miss the chance to highlight the air conditioning feature of these new vehicles in official announcements. However, given the real conditions of state-managed transport and lack of systematic maintenance, this comfort might not be sustainable.

Havana's public transport crisis has reached a critical point, characterized by route cancellations, vehicles out of service, and an increasingly frustrated populace facing a lack of concrete solutions. Notably, the collapse of the so-called "gazelles" has repeatedly left entire communities without transport options due to fuel shortages.

The Ministry of Transportation has attempted to assert control over the situation, but its messages have been inconsistent. While public warnings have been issued against private drivers allegedly violating regulations, effective solutions to ensure stability and operability of the state system remain elusive. Additionally, frequent power outages disrupt the functioning of alternative transport options like electric tricycles, rendering these measures unsustainable amid a national energy deficit.

Official statistics provide little comfort, highlighting a drastic decline in transport capacity, with millions fewer journeys and a vehicle fleet reduced to a bare minimum functioning level.