Crisis in Güines' Urban Transportation System

JI: "Why this lack of fuel in the government urban transportation system while private persons can obtain plenty of fuel?"

F: "Before Saturday, December 7, we used to get approximately 200 liters of diesel fuel daily. This is only enough to cover one trip to Havana City at nine thirty at night and to offer service twice a day to rural settlements that are prioritized due to being far away. Among them it can be mentioned Río Seco, Catalina de Güines, Playa El Rosario and El Cangre. Today, the situation is chaotic. Only 70 liters a day are received, which compels us to idle almost all of the available vehicles. In regards to the station wagons and private automobiles, the owners buy the fuel and other supplies. We only control the station wagons’ departures and collect a 31 pesos tax for each trip."

JI: "You did not answer my question: Why the lack of fuel?"

F: "We don’t know, those are ministerial decisions. All bus terminals in Havana Province are in the same situation."

JI: "Then, can I interpret that the owners of private vehicles connected with the terminal are working with diesel obtained in the black market?"

F: "It is a matter of tolerance. We know that the diesel is purchased in the subterranean market, but if we compel them to justify the origins of the fuel they are capable of withdrawing the service and that would be worse for us."

JI: "Do you know when the diesel supply will be normalized?"

F: "It is unpredictable. At the last meeting held at the provincial level they told us that the shortage is for an indefinite period of time."

JI: "How many vehicles do you presently have at Güines terminal? How many are in working order?"

F: "There are 11 Scania buses made in Spain. Only four of them are available. The rest are idle for lack of batteries, tires and accessories, such as starting motors, fuel pumps and bulbs."

JI: "Is it your opinion that the Municipality’s transportation system is at its most critical moment?"

F: "I believe so. Look, I have been working in this field since 1940, when all of Güines' transportation system was in private hands. I never saw a more catastrophic situation than the one we presently have. This town, before 1959, had the best bus service in Havana. Every 10 minutes a bus departed from here to Havana and between departures an extra bus was placed, called Special."

JI: "One last question: Are you in favor of political changes in the country that would lead to an improvement in the municipal urban transportation's system?"

F: "It is a dangerous question, but I am going to answer it. I believe that change should come. We cannot deny the political, economic and social stagnation that the country is in. Socialism is something that belongs to the past. Cuba needs a change for its well being, although it should be a process of pacific transition, without bloodletting.