Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Cuba’s Minister of Transportation, announced on Friday new measures in the sector in response to the current energy situation in the country, stemming from the intensification of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government and its energy-related persecution.
At a press conference at the Ministry of Transportation (Mitrans) headquarters, Rodríguez Dávila explained that the measures are a necessary adjustment of services by the main operators in the sector due to the shortage of fuel and lubricants, and the lack of availability of spare parts and other necessary components.
He explained that the actions aim to counteract the impacts of the energy blockade, maintain a certain level of attention to essential functions, and advance the urgent shift in the energy matrix, through the application of science and innovation as means to achieve these goals in the sector.
As priorities, the minister listed ensuring the transportation of essential goods for the nation’s life, addressing the transportation needs of passengers related to health and education, promoting ongoing projects through financing from the Fund for the Maintenance and Development of Public Transportation, among other actions that contribute to finding alternative suppliers and streamlining and reducing bureaucracy.
Regarding international passenger transportation, the plan is to maintain airport operations according to the requirements of the airlines that continue to operate in Cuba, as well as ensuring the safety of navigation in Cuban airspace, and guaranteeing the rapid unloading of ships arriving with cargo in the country.
Regarding domestic air travel, the transportation minister clarified that air links will be maintained as long as conditions permit, and that transportation will be provided by road for Cuban collaborators abroad upon their return to the country.
He indicated that current maritime traffic between Nueva Gerona and Batabanó, as well as domestic train and bus services, will continue until Tuesday, June 16, with the commitment to respect and guarantee all available and sold capacity until that date.
From this date forward, adjustments will be necessary to reduce services, and starting June 17, the method of selling capacity will change. The option to book through apps will be discontinued, and bookings will be coordinated with local governments based on priorities and urgent transportation needs in each area, with the aim of providing, to the extent possible, solutions to mitigate the disruption and deterioration of services.
Similarly, waiting lists remain suspended due to the drastic reduction in departures and the unavailability of passengers.
According to the Minister of Transportation, local transportation will respond to the adjustments made by the authorities in each territory, taking into account availability and capacity.
He affirmed his commitment to maintaining transportation services for special education schools until the end of the school year, the specialized transportation service for healthcare workers, and the minibus and Gazelle service in the provinces where they currently operate, as well as the transport of hemodialysis patients. For this, it is essential to expedite the commissioning of 200 electric vehicles designated for this purpose.
As an alternative, Rodríguez Dávila urged the maximum use of electric tricycle services, both state-run and private, based on the routes with the greatest need among the population. To this end, the issuance of licenses for providing services with electric vehicles is being expedited, and progress is being made on the construction of charging stations.
This, he assessed, aligns with the country’s stance of not giving up, continuing to seek alternatives and solutions to overcome this moment intelligently and with a special focus on the well-being of the people, while acknowledging that there are many shortcomings and much to be done, but without wavering in the commitment to continue working to mitigate the effects of the situation on this population.
Other sector authorities and representatives of the associated business system accompanied the minister at the conference.
IMAGE CREDIT: José Manuel Lapeira Casas | Photos: Luis Jiménez
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
