HAVANA, April 23 (María Elena Rodríguez) - Cuban railroads are
so inefficient that travelers only resort to them as a last recourse.
"I would rather hitch a ride; it’s dangerous, but it’s
faster. To go by train you have to be sick, very old, or crazy," said
Mariela, 38.
Service delays are customary; on the fast train known as the "Blue
Folly" delays average one hour, in the regular service five hours is more
the norm.
Moreover, on the regular trains the water fountains seldom work and the
lavatories are dirty and smelly to the point that the stench permeates a whole
car. The seats are usually ripped except for the ones in the Havana - Matanzas
route, which are wooden. Cockroaches are common throughout the cars.
"I hate to travel in the regular trains. The "Blue Folly" has
its defects and it’s more
expensive, but at least you don’t travel like cattle," said
Alicia, 43.
The food sold on the trains consists of a box lunch, at 4.80 pesos in the
regular trains and 8.50 pesos in the "Blue Folly."
"Some pork fat, a badly-cooked chicken quarter, or a slice of bologna
are the usual entrees. If the rice isn’t hard, then the beans are sure to
be. I prefer to buy the boxes offered by private parties, because those sold on
the trains are inedible," said Marcos, a regular traveler between Havana
and Camagüey.
Additionally, all trains offer refreshments payable in dollars. A cold beer
costs 0.85
dollars, a soft drink 0.50 dollars, and a bag of crackers 0.75.
The "Blue Folly" has special cars for tourists, also payable in
dollars.
Versión original
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