It is not a luxury vehicle nor does it have the ideal capacity for days of high attendance. But it “solves” in the midst of the crisis, and of skyrocketing temperatures and prices.
For a month now, Havana residents have had a slightly easier time dipping in the beach and relieving themselves of the summer heat.
A train, which leaves from the platform at Egido and Arsenal, in Old Havana, goes to the beaches east of the city, on a journey that usually takes between an hour and a half and 2 hours, with intermediate stops. Arenal, Guanabacoa, Bacuranao, Tarará, and Guanabo are part of its route.
Freight station, located at Egido and Arsenal, in Old Havana, the departure point for the train to the beaches. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get off the train to the beaches east of Havana, upon arriving at the Guanabo train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
It is not, logically, a luxury train. Its cars have been rescued, with “stiff” seats, damaged roofs and walls and with the breeze from the road as a pinch hitter for the air conditioning. It does not have a bathroom or screens; although it does have a private loudspeaker with the latest music.
It also does not have the ideal capacity for the days of greatest attendance, mainly the weekends. But it “solves,” according to what one of its passengers told our correspondent Otmaro Rodríguez, who ventured to make the trip this week.
Passengers on the train to the beaches east of Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get on the train in the Reparto Mañana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
For 35 pesos, a surreal price in times of economic crisis and high inflation like those in Cuba, you can get to the final stop in Guanabo, and even for less money if the trip is to an intermediate point. In a private car the fare would cost no less than 500 pesos.
With a capacity of approximately 200 passengers, the train has only one departure to the beaches, from Tuesday to Thursday, at 9:00 in the morning, returning at about 6:00 in the afternoon. From Friday to Sunday, it leaves twice (9:00 am and 1:30 pm) and returns to Havana twice (11:10 am and 6:35 pm).
The train has three passenger cars with 70 seats each. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Travelers at the Egido and Arsenal station in Old Havana, departure point. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
As with all state transportation, smoking and alcohol consumption are not allowed on the train. Food and soft drinks are not sold either, so passengers usually carry all their food for the beach adventure.
Families with children and teenagers, couples and groups of friends are regular passengers on a train that also carries workers and police officers, and which on weekdays even has empty seats, as our photojournalist saw.
The fare collector with passengers on the train to the beaches east of Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Children on the train to the beaches east of Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
When you get off, you have to walk to the beach, but with practically all the journey carried out and the excitement of taking a dip, few people care. The return trip is harder with all the sun of the day and the salt on one’s body.
Even so, thanks to the train, the beaches east of Havana do not seem as far away as they once did. And in the midst of so many difficulties, prices and soaring temperatures, for many Havana residents it is, without a doubt, a summer relief.
Guanabo beach, east of Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get off the train to the beaches east of Havana, upon arriving at the Guanabo train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get off the train to the beaches east of Havana, upon arriving at the Guanabo train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.A passenger talks with the train driver. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get on the train at an intermediate stop on the way to the beaches east of city. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Fare collector on the Havana-Guanabo train. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers get off the train to the beaches east of Havana, upon arriving at the Guanabo train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Passengers outside the Guanabo train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Guanabo beach is approximately 400 meters from the train station. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Egido and Arsenal train station, in Old Havana. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Floating power plant in Havana Bay, seen from the Guanabo train. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Jewish cemetery in Regla, seen from the Guanabo train. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Environment through which the Havana-Guanabo train passes. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Environment through which the Havana-Guanabo train passes. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Environment through which the Havana-Guanabo train passes. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Humble house near the Havana-Guanabo train line. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.A farmer watches the Havana-Guanabo train pass by. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.Old house near the Havana-Guanabo train line. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.House near the Havana-Guanabo train line. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
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