The Union of Cuban Railways (UFC) reported progress in the recovery and modernisation of the national railway system, with actions encompassing investments in stations, repair of locomotives and carriages, as well as measures aimed at reinforcing circulation safety, informed the Cubadebate site
Argenis Jiménez Aparicio, vice director of the UFC, stated in an in-depth journalistic piece that capital repairs were executed at the Central Station of Havana, the one in Morón, in Ciego de Ávila, and the one in Zaza del Medio, in Sancti Spíritus, with the purpose of improving service for travellers
The manager specified that the first stage of the Central Station of Havana is expected to be concluded in 2025 with basic services such as a cafeteria, medical attention, a children’s room and a lactation room, while in Morón work is being done on the roof to protect the remainder of the works
In parallel, locomotives, passenger carriages, and freight wagons were recovered, with an emphasis on the boxcars destined for the transport of the basic food basket, of which 140 units were repaired since the end of 2024, he specified
Jiménez Aparicio explained that accidents were linked both to resource limitations and to operational negligence, which is why inspections have been deployed across the railway network and training actions have been carried out with personnel to minimise risks
Regarding delays, he indicated that the lack of electrical power in stations caused interruptions in communication, which forced a reduction in train speed to guarantee passenger safety
The official indicated that import contracts for parts for locomotives and carriages acquired in 2019, which had not received spare parts since their purchase, have been finalised, which will allow for sustaining the fleet’s vitality
Regarding comfort, alternative solutions have been applied to seats and toilets, and on-board services have been diversified through the incorporation of Cubacatering S.A. and non-state economic actors
The UFC strengthened communication with users through digital channels and notices in stations, which made it possible to inform in real time about delays and receive feedback from travellers
The inspection along the central track allowed for the identification of critical points and the planning of immediate and medium-term actions, including imports of sleepers and parts for specialised maintenance equipment
Nine of the 13 companies of the UFC applied Decree Law 87 to improve salaries, which increased worker retention and sense of belonging, according to the vice director
Jiménez Aparicio emphasised that the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade made the acquisition of resources more expensive and difficult, but he assured that the commitment to recovery and service to the population has been maintained
José Luis Toledo Sarmiento, commercial director of the UFC, specified that local trains transported more than one million 600 thousand travellers with a 76 percent compliance rate, while national ones exceeded 100 percent, with more than 40 extra trains during the holiday period
The UFC is working on the recovery of infrastructure, the repair of rolling stock, and the incorporation of new technologies, with the aim of raising the quality, punctuality, and safety of travel, in correspondence with the demands of the population and the country’s development plans
