The train service in Guantánamo has raised its fares for both local and interprovincial routes starting September 28th. Officials have openly acknowledged that these prices may be adjusted again due to fluctuating fuel costs.
Pedro Durruthy Martínez, the deputy director of the Union of Railways of Cuba in Guantánamo, explained that the fare increase is a result of the high costs of acquiring fuel and lubricants in foreign currencies. This was reported by the government-run newspaper Venceremos on Thursday.
Martínez warned that fares might change if the company procures fuel from private suppliers. The funding mechanism being used involves a "select operational card," allowing certain units to purchase fuel in foreign currencies, with the equivalent value in Cuban pesos being added to the ticket price.
Interprovincial and Local Train Routes
Among the interprovincial routes, the Guantánamo to Holguín journey costs 800 CUP and operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The fare to Santiago de Cuba is set at 600 CUP, with departures on Mondays and Fridays.
For local services, trains to Caimanera and Boquerón have two daily departures, costing 40 and 70 CUP, respectively. New routes to Honduras, with a fare of 100 CUP, and Cuneira, at 150 CUP, have been added, both with two daily frequencies.
The Guantánamo-La Luisa railbus runs twice daily, charging 100 CUP, while the urban service to 17 Sur is priced at 30 CUP. Students and seniors over 65 continue to enjoy a 50% discount, provided they present their ID card.
National and Alternative Services
National rail services have not seen a fare increase but continue to run every 16 days. For October, four departures have been scheduled, including two special services. There will be no express train service.
As an alternative, accompanied freight transport is available for up to six tons, priced at 13,906 CUP per ton, with the fare for an accompanying passenger included. Requests for this service must be submitted at the National Route Trains branch located at Pedro Agustín Pérez Square.
Challenges Facing Cuba's Railway System
In July, national train operations plummeted by 74%, dropping from 62 services to just 16, with only 12 out of the 34 required locomotives operational.
By August, the Ministry of Transport admitted that even minimum service frequencies couldn't always be guaranteed due to diesel shortages.
In September, officials in Cuba's easternmost provinces disclosed that the region hadn't received state-supplied fuel for days, leaving over 140 tons of rice and 51 tons of beans stranded at Santiago de Cuba's port.
The new train fares are part of a broader series of adjustments in the pricing of various train services across the country. The reactivation of the Morón-Camagüey train route with fares set at 1,500 CUP sparked significant public discontent. Meanwhile, the Las Tunas-Camagüey route returned with tickets priced at 600 CUP, available three times a week.
These fare hikes are particularly burdensome in light of the national minimum wage, which stands at 3,210 CUP as of July 1st.
Understanding Guantánamo's Train Fare Adjustments
Why did Guantánamo increase its train fares?
The fare increase is due to the rising costs of acquiring fuel and lubricants in foreign currencies, as explained by the deputy director of the Union of Railways of Cuba in Guantánamo.
Could train fares in Guantánamo change again?
Yes, officials have indicated that fares might be adjusted again, especially if the company sources fuel from private suppliers.
What are the new fares for Guantánamo's train routes?
Interprovincial fares include 800 CUP for Guantánamo to Holguín and 600 CUP to Santiago de Cuba. Local routes range from 30 to 150 CUP, depending on the destination.