Havana Revives Ciclobús Service Amid U.S. Energy Blockade

The Government of Cuba has seen a resurgence in the use of the Ciclobús, a state-run transport service in Havana, as the country faces its most severe energy crisis in decades. The diesel-powered buses transport up to 60 passengers and their bicycles, scooters, or electric motorcycles through the Havana Bay Tunnel, providing a critical 3-kilometer link between Old Havana and eastern residential zones. Because bicycles and scooters are prohibited from using the tunnel, the service prevents commuters from taking a 16-kilometer alternative land route.

This spike in demand follows an energy blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in January, which limited gasoline allotments to 20 liters per vehicle and caused the collapse of standard public transportation. With private taxis becoming prohibitively expensive, the Ciclobús offers an affordable alternative with fares ranging from two to five Cuban pesos, serving over 2,000 passengers daily.

The service was originally launched in the 1990s during the Special Period, when the government encouraged the use of non-motorized transport and distributed bicycles across the country. The current crisis has forced a return to these low-cost alternatives for workers commuting to the city center.