Baby, You Can Drive My Car: Cuban Government Allows Free Market Taxis

In an effort to rehabilitate the island’s failing public transportation system, the Cuban government is encouraging drivers of old-fashioned American and Russian cars to apply for taxi licenses and set their own fare prices. Cuba is easing into more of a free market system, at least where transportation is concerned, in stark contrast to former President Fidel Castro’s suspicions that cab drivers were pocketing profits, created a black market for state-subsidized gas and gave rides to gays and capitalists.

Oscar Espinosa Chepe, a state-educated economist who has gone to be an anti-communist dissident, says the free market taxis are a great idea, especially since the state-run bus service has proven wildly ineffective:

“Without these taxis, especially in the city of Havana but also in the provinces, the country would practically grind to a halt.”

Out in the Cuban countryside where bus service is spotty or nonexistent, the government is encouraging any with extra passenger room in their vehicles — be that vehicle a truck or a motorcycle with a sidecar — to take on riders for a state-determined set price and on state-subsidized gas.

Beats watching your collectible car rust out on the street while your daughter prostitutes herself for tourists in front of clubs and hotels she’s not allowed to set foot in! In any case: Good on ya, Raul.

Calling all cars: Cuba recruits free-market taxis [NY Daily News]