In a bid to enhance transportation services, Cuba has embarked on building a Russian-Cuban taxi fleet in Havana, as confirmed on Thursday by Moscow's Department of Transportation to the Russian newspaper Izvestia.
The initiative involves the operation of 50 Moskvich vehicles, blending both gasoline and electric models, alongside the development of solar charging infrastructure for the electric cars.
Moscow officials noted that Cuban authorities are currently working on constructing the infrastructure for the taxi park, with completion timelines dependent on local efforts. They also mentioned that all vehicles and equipment are ready for shipment from Russia.
Once functional, this service will cater to both Havana's locals and tourists from Russia and other nations, according to Moscow's Department of Transportation.
Background and Strategic Discussions
The project was deliberated on April 1 in St. Petersburg during the 23rd session of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. At this meeting, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernyshenko affirmed Russia's commitment to deliver the 50 vehicles and announced plans to resume assembly of GAZ vehicles in Cuba by 2026.
Historical Agreements and Developments
The project's roots trace back to November 2024, when Moscow's Deputy Mayor for Transport, Maxim Liksutov, and Cuba's Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, signed a cooperation agreement to deploy 50 Moskvich taxis in Havana and Varadero.
In May 2025, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the Moskvich factory in Moscow, where Mayor Sergei Sobyanin offered an additional 10 vehicles as a donation. These cars arrived in Havana by November 2025 and were allocated to health and education services rather than general public transport.
Transport Crisis in Cuba
This announcement comes amidst one of the most severe transportation crises Cuba has faced in decades. State passenger transport plummeted by 93% between January and September 2025, and Havana's urban transport system collapsed entirely on February 6, 2026, with all routes halted.
In this context, the 50 Moskvich taxis, primarily meant for tourists and residents with financial means, offer only a marginal solution to the broader mobility challenges faced by the Cuban population.
Key Questions about the Moskvich Taxi Service in Cuba
What is the purpose of the Moskvich taxi project in Havana?
The project aims to enhance transportation services in Havana by introducing a fleet of 50 Moskvich vehicles, which include both gasoline and electric models, with supporting solar charging infrastructure for the electric cars.
Who will benefit from the new taxi service in Havana?
The service is designed to serve both local residents of Havana and tourists from Russia and other countries, focusing on those who can afford the service.
When did the Russian-Cuban cooperation on this project begin?
The cooperation began in November 2024, following a memorandum signed between Moscow's Deputy Mayor for Transport and Cuba's Minister of Transport to deploy the Moskvich vehicles.