HAVANA.- In order to contribute to the control and regulation of transport services in Cuba, the Ministry of Transport made public this Tuesday the modifications to the regulations for the licensing of transport operations by natural persons.

The changes to the regulations of Decree-Law 168/1996 will enter into force on December 7, in conjunction with the other regulations published on this day as part of the improvement of self-employment work in Cuba.

Marta Oramas, deputy at the Ministry of Transport (MITRANS), explained at a press conference that the license is a non-transferable authorization document that must be held by the self-employed person to provide transportation services - cargo, passenger or auxiliary and related - in national territory or in waters under the jurisdiction of the State.

For natural persons, the new provisions include that MITRANS will grant the license, free of charge for the first time, to those who wish to exercise auxiliary and related services such as bodywork, driving instructor and the new figure of transport lessor.

He pointed out that currently the municipal directorates of Labor and Social Security are responsible for authorizing the development of these activities, transfer of functions that will be formalized when the regulations come into force.

Another change is that the municipal, provincial and national extension of this license is reinstated, a claim by the transporters who carry out the activity within the limits of their territory and pay a national permit, said Oramas.

He added a general requirement to apply for a permit to operate cargo or passenger transport is that the applicant must have a driver's license for the means of transportation in question.

In order to achieve a reduction of accident rates in mass transportation, when applying for an authorization to drive buses, vans or trucks, an accreditation must be presented by a legal entity that demonstrates that the interested party has three years of experience.

The Vice-Minister informed that from the time of approval of the activity of lessor of means of transport, national citizens may also apply for a permit with a rented vehicle to a holder of this category.

He also pointed out that licences for a means of transport would be valid for one year.

In the case of legal entities, the fundamental changes include the granting of vouchers to tractive railways and motor cars, as well as to naval vehicles, a document that accredits the equipment or facility to provide the service, he said.

The operating license, which is currently valid for six years, will have a validity determined by the function or corporate purpose approved, and only the voucher must be renewed every three years, explained Oramas.

The general and specific requirements to be met by facilities providing transport ancillary and related services for the receipt were also made public.