On Sunday morning, a bus operated by the state-owned company Transtur collided with a utility pole on a street in Trinidad, part of the Sancti Spíritus province, leading to an electrical outage in circuit 60 and cutting off power for local residents. Social media reports indicate that the accident took place on a cobblestone street within the city's historic district. Images from the scene depict bus number 4936 embedded into a house, with its windshield shattered and the utility pole toppled over the vehicle's roof.
Repair crews from the Basic Electric Organization's Trinidad Base Business Unit promptly arrived at the site to undertake repair work and restore power as swiftly as possible. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported among the bus passengers or local residents.
Trinidad's Power Supply Disruption
The affected circuit 60 is among those experiencing scheduled power cuts due to the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba. Official records state that Trinidad comprises 17 electrical circuits (five in urban areas and the rest in rural zones), with only circuits 93 and 94—servicing the hospital and essential city services—being exempt from outages.
Transtur's Troubling Safety Record
This incident adds to a growing list of recent accidents involving Transtur buses in Cuba, raising concerns about the safety and maintenance of these vehicles used for transporting tourists. Recently, another Transtur bus caught fire with tourists on board in Topes de Collantes, Sancti Spíritus, although no casualties were reported, the fire completely destroyed the vehicle.
Earlier in September 2024, a Transtur bus crashed into a tree in Ciego de Ávila, causing damage to both the vehicle and the roadway. In late August, a major accident in Santiago de Cuba involving a Transtur bus resulted in nine injuries. Another severe accident in June 2024 left 26 Canadian tourists injured following a fatal crash in Ciego de Ávila. Additionally, in mid-January 2024, a Transtur bus collided with a car in Camagüey, injuring seven people.
The frequent accidents raise questions about the technical condition of Transtur's fleet and the state of Cuba's road infrastructure amid a transportation crisis and a lack of resources for vehicle maintenance. So far, Transtur has not released any statements regarding the cause of the recent accident or potential penalties for the driver involved.
Transtur, a Cuban state enterprise, specializes in tourist transportation across the island. Its fleet includes buses and other vehicles for transporting both national and international visitors, offering services at airports, tourism circuits, excursions, and vehicle rentals. Transtur is part of the Group of Business Administration S.A. (GAESA), a powerful military-run conglomerate that exerts considerable influence over Cuba's economy, particularly in strategic sectors like tourism, construction, and trade.
GAESA is affiliated with the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and operates various businesses through its subsidiary, Grupo de Turismo Gaviota S.A., which manages hotels, travel agencies, and transportation companies such as Transtur.
Transtur's Safety and Maintenance Concerns
What caused the power outage in Trinidad?
The power outage was caused by a Transtur bus crashing into a utility pole, disrupting circuit 60 in Trinidad.
How is Transtur related to GAESA?
Transtur is part of GAESA, a military-controlled conglomerate that oversees a significant portion of Cuba's economy, including the tourism sector.
Have there been other recent accidents involving Transtur buses?
Yes, there have been several incidents, including a bus fire in Topes de Collantes and crashes in Ciego de Ávila, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey, raising safety concerns.