For three years, Leagna Talía has been traveling the road that connects the municipality of “Amancio” with Las Tunas; her goal being to get to the University of Medical Sciences.

Her first year was devastating: she lost her luggage with all her belongings; she could spend an entire day with her arm outstretched trying to get home or to her place of study... Her mother's salary is not enough, and she is alone in providing for all the household needs. Luckily, Leagna Talía wears a uniform.

"Now there is a large bus that picks us up at the terminal, always at noon. Students from both universities and professors come there, and when there is room, they take the general public.

"They charge us 50.00 pesos, and to make everything more organized when we get on, they call us by the year of our degree program; they alternate the order so that we can all sit down for part of the trip.

"For the return trip, the pickup is on Friday, in front of the university at 2:00 p.m., and the call is made in the same way. If possible, they pick up students from ‘Colombia’ and at the terminal."...

The critical situation with transportation in Las Tunas is a story with many sides. Travelers tell their version; for some, depending on how their day goes, they consider it not so bad, while others speak of tragedy. For the authorities in this sector, it is often a puzzle so difficult to put together.

The Provincial Passenger and General Cargo Transport Company (CARDINAL) has more than 300 vehicles, including cargo, passenger, and rail buses. In 2024, of the total 1.038 million liters (L) of fuel needed for passenger transportation, they received only 368,000 L.

For the additives that are starter motors, and belts, among others, they had an allocation of up to 800 L of oil; now they have 200 L, and it is not enough because the deterioration of the vehicles means they use more. This scenario complicates an essential mission: to reach as many locations as possible.

Reynaldo Reyes Silva, the transportation delegate here, explains a little about the daily operation in this regard. "Once the physical fuel is guaranteed in each municipality, a bus must leave in the morning for the capital city and return in the afternoon.
“This responsibility depends on the decisions of the district administration councils; the province takes steps to supply a certain percentage of fuel.”

This mobility of people is maintained regularly, with mechanisms ranging from state buses to rented buses and private carriers.

"In the case of Jobabo, a rented bus was added to provide service from Las Tunas, because fuel is guaranteed here. Further south, in ‘Amancio,’ two private trucks regularly provide transportation, regardless of the company's schedule.

"All municipalities are protected by state buses and other services, such as Manatí, which has a rented bus that runs daily at a differentiated price, but which is accepted by the public.

“When transporting schoolchildren, drivers are instructed to pick up passengers at the terminals on their return journey, at the established rate per kilometer. This is done regularly because it also helps Cardinal's economy.”

CARS AND ROUTES, DAILY PUZZLE

Diané lives in the main town, travels to Manatí every week, and tells us that "sometimes transportation is bad, and there are days when rented buses leave, plus the state bus in the morning and trucks. All these cars vary in price; some charge 200.00 pesos, others 180.00.

“For Puerto Padre, from what we can see, it is easier, as buses are rented quite frequently, unlike in Manatí. Fortunately, the driver who returns in the morning tries to take everyone, which is good.”

Vladimir Téllez Pérez, director of operations at CARDINAL, says, "We have identified two critical routes: Jobabo and Manatí. There are days when we have had to send buses to the railway terminal at 7:00 p.m. because we don't have enough staff to cover the route.

"Inter-municipal transport is an issue that needs to be stabilized, but without fuel, it is very difficult to guarantee everything we would like to.

“Private cars operate according to state routes; they have no commitment to the population and can leave and return at whatever time they choose. This is unlike rented vehicles, which must fulfill their corporate purpose.”

For each locality considered by the company to be in the worst situation, there are vehicles assigned to reach rural areas, such as Jobabo, says Téllez Pérez; in addition, they have a Diana that transports personnel to the provincial capital from Monday to Friday.

"‘Amancio’ has two leased cars, one of which has been sanctioned and had its permit suspended for a month due to a price violation. 'Colombia' has three, one of which is immobilized at the base, and the other two are under repair.

“The only municipality in Las Tunas that guarantees a percentage of fuel for the leased vehicles is the capital. With them, it must be taken into account that on weekends they have other plans, that is, they do not have to comply with any schedule or route.”

CRUSADE ON WHEELS

The mobility of personnel from the railway terminal in this city is alleviated or aggravated depending on the availability of fuel. Edelso Ayala Rosales, a traffic dispatcher there, assures our media outlet that "some time ago there was a total crisis; at the moment it has improved considerably, with three to four municipal routes now operating, in addition to the four rural routes.

“The established buses go to the municipalities, and when that is not possible, they send rented buses and trucks.”

The fuel crisis continues, coupled with a shortage of parts. With this sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, it is up to the sector's managers not to let their guard down in the search for alternatives, to tighten control, and to encourage innovation, solidarity, and close collaboration between private and state transport.