The public transportation crisis in Cuba reached a new level of danger this past weekend when an articulated bus on route A40 ran out of fuel inside the Bay Tunnel, forcing passengers—including several minors—to exit the vehicle and proceed on foot under hazardous conditions. The incident was confirmed by the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, on Facebook: "I received information about articulated bus #378, operating on route A40 in Havana, which ran out of fuel in the Bay Tunnel during the service. Passengers were exposed to danger as they had to walk out."
Photos shared by witnesses depict children walking along the narrow ledge of the tunnel, an extremely risky maneuver given the visibility and traffic conditions in the area. Many of these children appeared to be returning from the beach with their families.
Although the minister promised an "investigation" into the incident, it is not an isolated event but rather another manifestation of the severe energy and fuel crisis suffocating the island, a direct result of state inefficiency and poor resource management. "Nothing happened then and nothing will happen now. Years ago, I had to cross it too. We came out covered in soot from the cars passing by," recalled a user in the minister's post.
Failed Transportation System
The situation in the Havana tunnel is not unique; it is part of everyday life for Cubans. Last April, the popular "Gazelles" (MetroTaxis)—one of the few relatively efficient transportation options in the capital—had to suspend their services due to a lack of fuel. "Unfortunately, our beloved Gazelles could not refuel last night, meaning we won't be able to offer our usual service today," announced Transportación Habana (TH) at the time, leaving thousands of workers, students, and elderly citizens stranded without a way to navigate the city.
Despite repeated transportation collapses, the regime continues to prioritize fuel use for official motorcades, political events, State Security vehicles, and police patrols, while the general population faces increasingly restricted, dangerous, and uncertain mobility.
Visible Consequences, Invisible Accountability
Despite public outrage on social media, official responses remain vague, with no real accountability or structural solutions offered. Instead of transparency, there is silence. Instead of effective management, the same rhetoric of "resistance" is repeated.
The current situation is unsustainable. The chronic fuel shortage not only paralyzes transportation but directly endangers lives, as demonstrated by minors having to walk through a tunnel due to system negligence. Meanwhile, state propaganda continues to promote an image of a progressing nation, disconnected from the reality of citizens risking their lives to get home.
The question many are asking is: How long will Cubans have to risk their lives for a bus? And the answer, so far, is the silence of the very State that should be protecting them.
Understanding Cuba's Transportation Crisis
What caused the bus to run out of fuel in the Havana Tunnel?
The bus ran out of fuel due to the ongoing energy and fuel crisis in Cuba, which is a result of state inefficiency and poor management of resources.
How are the fuel shortages affecting public transportation in Cuba?
Fuel shortages have led to the suspension of services by options like MetroTaxis and have caused dangerous situations like buses running out of fuel, leaving passengers stranded.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the transportation issues?
Despite public outrage and the severity of the crisis, the government has offered vague responses and has not implemented effective measures to solve the underlying problems.