This past Wednesday, a special train designated as number 9 finally departed for Guantánamo from La Coubre Railway Station in Havana, albeit three hours behind schedule due to technical issues, as reported by National Routes on Facebook.
On board were 680 educators from Guantánamo who had spent the school year teaching in Havana's schools. Yandy Benet Acosta, who heads Resource Planning at the Havana Education Directorate, confirmed the number of passengers and explained that the contract terms required them to arrive four hours prior to departure, necessitating an early start for these teachers.
Early Morning Gatherings and Delays
The pickup from the eleven municipal residences where the teachers live was set for 5:30 a.m. and was executed punctually, though technical setbacks delayed the train's eventual departure. Despite the challenges, Mabel Hay Faure, a 66-year-old teacher working in Havana since 2019, expressed satisfaction with the arrangements: "We've never had problems with travel during vacations. They always ensure our round trip. Even now, despite the critical energy situation, they got us to the terminal on time."
Long Journeys and Returning Home
The return journey to Havana is scheduled for August 22. Physics teacher Alexis Allen from Argelia Libre secondary school in La Lisa acknowledged the lengthy pickup and 16-hour journey but noted that the prospect of reuniting with family in Guantánamo made it worthwhile. Maikol Sarmiento González, a teacher from San Miguel del Padrón, suggested speeding up the entry process at the terminal, as early starts and long travels are taxing, even for younger passengers.
Special Summer Train Initiatives
The journey extends to Caimanera, which has also been coordinated by local authorities. Alongside the educators, other passengers, including a man traveling with three relatives, one of whom is headed to Guantánamo for cataract treatment, were aboard. This marks the second extra train dispatched during the summer vacation of 2026. Another special service was set to leave for Bayamo and Manzanillo in Granma Province that same Wednesday evening.
This initiative is part of a summer special train program announced in June by Jorge Oliva Yero, Director of National Passenger Trains, aimed at serving priority groups: teachers and students from eastern provinces, construction workers, and patients. Oliva Yero mentioned that these trains return to Havana with approximately 80% of seats filled by the general population.
Challenges Facing Cuba's Rail System
Cuba's rail system is facing significant challenges: regular trains run as infrequently as every 16 days per route, and only 63% of planned carriages are operational. Since June 18, the Ministry of Transport has also halted open ticket sales, transferring control to provincial commissions prioritizing medical needs, family bereavements, and return to place of origin.
Understanding Cuba's Train Travel Challenges
Why did the train to Guantánamo leave late?
The train was delayed by three hours due to technical issues, as reported by National Routes on Facebook.
What special arrangements are in place for teachers traveling to Guantánamo?
Teachers must arrive four hours before departure, and their pick-up was coordinated to ensure timely arrival at the station despite early morning starts.