Chinese-made train arrives in E. Cuba

The first train entirely made up of Chinese-made carriages on Monday arrived at the eastern Cuban province of Holguin, 735 kilometers east of Havana.

Cuba's Chinese-made first new train passenger cars move after departing from La Coubre train station in Havana, Cuba, July 13, 2019. [Photo: VCG]

With a capacity for 720 passengers, the train was welcomed by locals as it boosts the Caribbean nation's transport capacity and makes long-distance travels affordable for locals.

On Saturday, the train departed from Havana and arrived at Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city on the island, after a 15-hour, 835-km journey.

Tickets for the first trip to the eastern end of the island have quickly sold out.

In May, the first 80 cars arrived at Cuba, from a batch of 240 ones to land in Havana at a rate of 80 each year from 2019 to 2021.

It was the first time in 44 years that Cuba had received new railroad cars. Aided by China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation and CRRC Tangshan Co., Ltd., the Caribbean nation under a U.S. trade embargo is able to renovate its trains.