By Kamil Kenders
HAVANA TIMES – The Cuban people have been facing many challenges for years: food, transportation, health, education, and the list goes on. In recent times, the situation has worsened, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
I have always been one to wait for public transportation because paying 100 or 150 Cuban pesos for a collective taxi is a lot, considering the average Cuban’s salary. Unfortunately, I have been forced to part with some of my salary for the “boteros” (taxi drivers) because it is literally impossible to board a bus.
Just a few days ago, it was a friend’s birthday, and I wanted to visit her. I was leaving Vedado and was mentally and monetarily prepared to spend money on a collective taxi because I had no desire to ruin my day, let alone endure squeezes, pushes, and tramples on public transport.
So, after a wait, a taxi finally stopped, and when I asked about the cost, miraculously, he said it was 100 pesos. I had to make a second car because no direct one passed thro
