grounds. In June 2015, the station closed for a three year rebuild including additional platforms. All passenger traffic moved to the adjacent Coubre yard, where a former bus terminal was converted into a temporary station. Service Overview Central Railway Station has a network of suburban, interurban and long-distance rail lines. The railways are nationalised and run by the FFCC (Ferrocarriles de Cuba – Railways of Cuba). Rail service connects the Central Rail Station to various Cuban provinces. In 2009, the annual passenger volume was roughly 7.5 million, almost 400,000 less from the previous year, and 3.5 million less than 2004, mainly after the government upgraded ASTRO's long-distance inter-city buses fleet with brand new air conditioned Yutong buses. Santiago de Cuba is the busiest route from the Central Station, some apart by rail. In 2000 the Union de Ferrocarriles de Cuba bought French first class airconditioned coaches. Fast trains line 1 and 2, between (Central Station) and Santiago de Cuba, use comfortable stainless-steel air-conditioned coaches bought from French Railways and now known as the "Tren Francés" (the French train). It runs daily at peak periods of the year (Summer season, Christmas & Easter), and on every second day at other times of the year. These coaches were originally used on the premier Trans Europ Express service between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam before being replaced with high speed Thalys trains. They were shipped to the Cuban Railways System in 2001. It offers two classes of seating, basic leatherette "especial" and quite luxurious "primera especial". Route diagrams Gallery See also Camagüey railway station Havana Suburban Railway National Railways of Cuba (FFCC) Santa Clara railway station Santiago de Cuba railway station References External links Havana Central railway station on EcuRed Transport in Havana Central Station Railway stations in Cuba Railway stations opened in 1912 Tourist attractions in Havana 1912 establishments in Cuba