Bus Driver in Havana Charges Excessive Fare, Strands Passengers in Early Hours

In the early hours of the morning, at 3:30 am, a group of individuals found themselves stranded at El Curita Park in Havana. This unfortunate situation arose when the driver of a bus on the P-7 route, originating from Cotorro, demanded an exorbitant fare of 100 CUP, deviating from the official rate. According to a citizen report shared on the Facebook group Transportación Habana TH, the driver bluntly announced that only those willing to pay this inflated price could board, leaving several passengers, including elderly individuals, helpless and without transportation options.

One of the affected passengers, a woman traveling for family reasons, described the incident as "outrageous and inhumane," stressing that this state-run service is obligated to adhere to set fares. This event highlights the corruption and exploitation prevalent among some urban transport workers in Cuba’s capital. Passengers not only endure long waits and a shortage of buses but also illegal practices by drivers who exploit public services for personal gain, with little oversight or immediate action from authorities.

Back in late September 2024, a Cuban woman took to social media to express her outrage after experiencing what she described as exploitation by a bus driver who charged her 1,000 CUP for a journey from Alamar to Matanzas, using a state vehicle and government-provided fuel.

The transportation situation in Cuba continues to decline, and such complaints reflect the growing discontent among citizens reliant on public transport, which increasingly leaves people stranded. In March, the government acknowledged the severe deterioration of the national public transportation system, significantly impacting the population who face long waits, overcrowded rides, and canceled routes due to resource shortages.

Nationwide, over half of the provincial routes were halted last year due to a lack of fuel and spare parts. This predicament has forced many Cubans to turn to alternative transportation methods, such as electric bicycles, for their daily commutes. In Havana, the public transportation crisis has been critical for years, with routes being canceled, vehicles out of service, and an increasingly frustrated population facing long waits and overcrowded conditions due to a lack of concrete solutions.

Furthermore, early Sunday morning, a city bus in Havana became the target of vandalism when unknown individuals hurled stones at the vehicle while it was on its route. This incident occurred at 12:55 am on Boyeros Avenue, near the concrete plant and the Ciudad Deportiva.