''Diana'' Bus
San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa, Cuba.- Transportation of passengers in San Antonio de los Baños is a service of vital importance for Ariguanabo. Although people perceive certain improvements, the situation is not optimal. Our Radio Station interviewed Zeida Lloró Alvarez, Director of the Transport Base Enterprise Unit (UEB) in San Antonio de los Baños, to provide some replies and learn about the work done to improve services and ensure the transportation of the citizens.
Zeida, how is passenger transport in the municipality?
At present five buses are operating from a total of eight. They cover a total of six routes with 18 daily roun trips. It is valid to mention that besides Artemisa, our service extends to Mayabeque and Havana.
Effective response
What is the most difficult route and what solutions are available?
Currently the route with the greatest difficulties is the 238, which links San Antonio de los Baños with Santiago de las Vegas. Here we have a new bus ‘’Diana’’, manufactured in our province and that is still under warranty but difficulties with tires can not be solved by us, but by the manufacturers themselves. We are also expecting a general maintenance of the equipment.
We are developing what is called a "closing line", that is, one trip at 7:30 am, to ensure the transporttion of the Ariguanabenses working in the capital. Although difficulties and few trips, we have no itinerary discovered.
What alternatives are used to solve the situation of the Metrobus ''Base Aérea- Tumbadero- Guira de Melena''?
That bus has technical problems, we do not have the parts needed for repair. We have visited several stores suppliers at the provincial level but the disc plate or some adjustments are not available. We know the importance of this route especially for students and workers. To resolve the situation we created the "short trips" to get to ‘’Raul Hernandez’’ Community (known as the airbase), also we try to coordinate with the transport EUB from Guira de Melena that help us with trips to the airbase to complete the route.
Has this UEB presented any impediment beyond the technical provision?
No. We believe that with our eight cars we can cover the six routes and all trips, if a new or improved equipment appears, surely we would improve the work but the important thing is to ensure that the buses are ready to work. Drivers and the population should ensure the care of these buses.
Are the other routes operating normally?
Yes, this week the bus San Antonio de los Baños-Lido began to work. This route takes four daily round trips to Marianao in Havana. According to Zeida Lloró Alvarez, daily work is aimed at solving the technical problems of buses and ensuring the planned trips. The five buses available now constitute the 62.5% and the reinstatement of others enable the restoration of more and better services.
