Cuba's Underwater Bus Transports Thousands Amid Severe Fuel Crisis
Key Takeaways
- Cuba's fuel crisis boosts use of the Ciclobús, an underwater bus in Havana.
- It operates through the Havana Bay Tunnel connecting Old Havana with the island's eastern side.
- The bus is specially fitted to transport passengers through the underwater tunnel.
Cuba's Ciclobús Resurgence
The Ciclobús has become an essential lifeline for thousands of commuters.
“An underwater bus in Havana becomes the ride that matters during Cuba’s fuel crisis As the fuel crisis in Cuba continues, the island’s residents are switching up how they travel”
It operates through the underwater Havana Bay Tunnel linking Old Havana to the eastern side of the island.
It can accommodate around 60 travelers and their vehicles, transporting more than 2,000 people per day.
The Ciclobús covers 3 kilometers in about 15 minutes.
The energy blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump has forced Cuba to ration gasoline to only 20 liters per vehicle.
Havana's streets are almost empty of cars but teeming with thousands of bicycles and small electric motorcycles.
Economic Strain and Accessibility
The fare for boarding ranges from 2 to 5 Cuban pesos.
A ride in a shared taxi costs about 1,000 Cuban pesos.
A Cuban worker can earn a monthly salary of about 7,000 Cuban pesos.
Ingrid Quintana said there's no public transportation and we can't afford a private taxi.
The Ciclobús emerged in the 1990s during the Special Period.
It is now seeing a resurgence as fuel shortages force more Cubans to rely on bicycles and scooters.
Geographic and Social Impact
The Ciclobús covers 3 kilometers in about 15 minutes.
“By ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ HAVANA (AP) — On a recent sweltering afternoon in the Cuban capital, dozens of commuters on bicycles, scooters and electric motorcycles gathered in a tidy row at the entrance of the Havana Bay Tunnel”
The alternative land route is a 16-kilometer trek through industrial port areas.
Passengers endure a rattling journey through the darkness of the underwater passage.
They emerge in eastern Havana, a sprawling residential zone.
Gym teacher Bárbaro Cabral said most jobs are on the other side.
The Ciclobús is owned by Havana's state-run transport company.
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