Update on the restoration of national transportation services (+ Photos)

Havana, Dec. 3 - The Cuban Ministry of Transportation (Mitrans) reported the restoration of national passengers transportation services, following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa at the end of October, with priority given to the most affected provinces.

National and interprovincial rail services to Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba have been restored, along with the trains already operating on the Havana-Holguín and Holguín-Havana routes, as posted on Facebook by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, head of Mitrans.

According to the report, the Havana-Bayamo-Manzanillo train service and its return trip remain suspended while track repairs continue. Instead, two extra trains will run: one on December 4 from Havana to Guantánamo and another on December 6 in the opposite direction.

All trains will depart at their usual times, including the extra trains, which will operate on the current schedule of trains 13 and 14.

Passengers with reservations who do not wish to travel will receive a 100 percent refund of the ticket price up to 15 days after service is restored. Those who do wish to travel should contact Viajero company for information on rescheduling.

Regarding domestic flights, the minister indicated that Cubana de Aviación has increased frequencies on the Havana-Holguín and Havana-Santiago de Cuba routes, in addition to reinforcing connections from those provinces to the capital.

Routes to and from Gerona will maintain their regular frequencies, while customers affected by schedule changes can request a refund or rescheduling at the sales offices.

National bus services were gradually restored after the temporary suspension of 322 routes. Approximately 8,300 passengers affected by the suspensions were transported, according to official data.

Currently, all bus routes are operating normally in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantánamo, Las Tunas, Holguín, and Camagüey, both on the national schedule and the Viazul service.

Passengers maritime transport between Nueva Gerona, Batabanó, and Cayo Largo del Sur remained stable, although the capacity of the vessel in service does not meet total demand.

The ferry Perseverancia continues to undergo repairs at the CDC Shipyards in Havana, while the catamaran Río Las Casas is undergoing maintenance in Gerona. Both vessels should be available this month, the Mitrans concluded. (ACN) (Photos: ACN and Internet)