The “El Espirituano” train, one of the few regular links between central Cuba and the capital, will again reduce its travel frequency starting on the 1st.unes October 6, according to confirmed the Provincial Directorate of Transportation of Sancti Spíritus.
For months, it was one of the most frequently used routes by travelers from the center of the country, especially those who couldn't afford road transportation. But fuel shortages, technical breakdowns, and the deterioration of the rail network have forced a reduction in service.
Only one weekly departure from Sancti Spíritus
The train will depart every lunedeparting from the Sancti Spíritus Train Station at 7:10 p.m., arriving in Havana around 6:40 a.m. the following day. Return services from the capital's Central Station will continue on Tuesdays, resulting in a single round-trip per week.
When the service was reinstated on July 25, 2024, it offered two departures per week—Thursdays and Sundays—but by December it had to be reduced to just one due to fuel limitations.
A vital route for the center of the country
The Espirituano train makes 22 stops across five provinces: Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara, Matanzas, Mayabeque, and Havana. This route connects dozens of communities that depend on the train for access to medical services, studies, or business in the capital.
Between July and December 2024, the train carried more than 13 passengers, although seven of the 42 planned trips were canceled. Only 16 of the 70 completed trips were on time, hampered by collisions with other trains, locomotive failures, and track damage.
Old locomotives and cars in poor condition
Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila acknowledged that the delays and cancellations are due to the general deterioration of the rail system. Locomotives frequently fail, and cars depend on the power generated by the main engine; if the engine shuts down, the cars are left in the dark.
Problems with the power supply at stations and internal communication within the cars have also been reported. Despite the renovations carried out in 2024, comfort conditions remain precarious.
The transport crisis gives no respite
The reduction of "El Espirituano" adds to a growing list of routes affected by a lack of parts and fuel. Although MITRANS has insisted on its commitment to keep trains running "within current capabilities," passengers perceive the system to be in a critical situation.
For many people from Sancti Spiritus and Villa Clara, the train isn't just an economical option: it's the only viable option for traveling long distances. Therefore, each reduction means becoming a little more isolated from the rest of the country.
