Train Service Resumes Between Las Tunas and Camagüey, But Limited to Three Days a Week and Costs 600 CUP

The provincial government of Las Tunas has announced the return of passenger train service to Camagüey starting this Friday. The service will operate three times a week, with tickets priced at 600 Cuban pesos (CUP) per trip, according to their Facebook announcement.

Trains will depart from Las Tunas at 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the return journey from Camagüey scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Different fare rates have been set for passengers who disembark at stops such as Bartle, Galvis, Palo Seco, Imar, Hatuey, and Siboney.

The announcement also mentions the revival of the urban train heading to El Cornito. Maintenance work on the tracks is currently underway, with operations expected to begin next week. This service will cost 60 CUP for adults and 30 CUP for children.

This reactivation follows other recent train service resumptions in the area. In late September, the Morón-Camagüey train resumed operations, with ticket prices at 1,500 CUP. Shortly after, the service between Camagüey and Santa Cruz del Sur was reinstated with fares up to 718 CUP and four weekly trips.

The 600 CUP fare for the Las Tunas-Camagüey route equates to about 19% of the national minimum wage, which has been set at 3,210 CUP since July. Although this fare is lower than the other recently resumed routes, it still represents a significant expense compared to the minimum income for Cuban workers.

The Cuban railway system is currently experiencing its most severe crisis in decades. As of July, trains were operating just 16 services monthly compared to 62 during its peak, a 74% drop. Only 12 of the needed 34 locomotives are operational, and 67% of the tracks are in dire need of maintenance.

Public reaction to the announcement was mixed. Some welcomed the return of this service as an essential alternative to private transportation.

"Great news, as this train is a big help to the population; blessings, and may we always have access to this service," one Facebook user commented.

Others, however, highlighted the reliance on privately managed fuel.

"This state-run company now depends on private enterprises for fuel management. Where is the national oil production?" another commenter questioned.

There were also numerous calls for the resumption of routes that remain inactive. "These are truly a great opportunity for thousands who need them. Hopefully, they can expand to other essential directions, such as Las Tunas-Holguín, Las Tunas-Menéndez-Majibacoa," a local resident noted.

Others urged attention to routes leading to Manatí, Chaparra, and Menéndez, which, according to commenters, "are never prioritized."

The widespread increase in train fares is attributed to the "selective operational card" mechanism, which funds diesel purchases in foreign currency and passes that cost in national currency to ticket prices. This was recently explained by the deputy director of the Union of Railways of Cuba in Guantánamo during a press conference.