mentioned it to a havana buddy of mine who says its been tried before and failed as not paying for itself. Maybe times have changed.
I know teh varadero one is a great success, but we’re talking about a whole lot more potential passengers in a much less concentrated area.
I’m really looking forward to using line 3, which goes to Playa del este. The two hotels I used there offer 2x a day free shuttle service to the old city. Otehrwise its paying 15-20 CUC each way for a taxi or taking teh overcrowded (and i mean overcrowded #400 Havana bus for 5-10 CUP (the price is right but you’re lucky if you can get on the bus.)
luckily my only exposure to the old camelo buses have been seeing them pass by.
But the #400 Havana bus is a trip in itself. Runs every 10-30 min to Playa del Este. Often wait for several buses before you can find one that you can get in. Sometimes end up standing on the steps and hope the doors stay closed ....
Always give a 10 CUP note, sometimes get change; often don’t; one time got my whole 10 CUP note back
Once actually got a seat. Understood then what a Cuban buddy of mine once said - getting a seat on a Havana bus is like riding in a Mercedes.
very true but apparently being used in other areas (I noticed in the south of the island, “public transportation” often consisted of loading people into trucks. The 1st class trucks having benches, but many not even having that.
But Havana still has a long way to go. Many routes use Canadian and European buses that sometimes date back to the 60s and 70s. Buses are overloaded.
Long distant stretches have improved with the Astro buses, but medium stretches are still a big time problem. One reason why you see so many people hitchhiking.
And of course the rail system is deteriorating more and more.
Cuba has a long way to go than just replace the camels.....
I remember posting here.... I can’t see my post anymore. But I remember my question, and thank you Mako for answering it. I guess, the buses are still safe and very vintage.
