In a move to manage the ongoing fuel shortage in Cuba, Havana is reintroducing a paid subscription service for purchasing gasoline. This strategy, which had been previously implemented and later discontinued, is receiving mixed reactions from both the public and the transportation sector.
According to official reports, this system will operate on a monthly subscription basis. Users must register and pay a fee to secure a fixed quota of fuel at specified service stations.
Details on the "Ticket" Platform
Initially launched in 2023 at select service centers in Havana, the "Ticket" platform was withdrawn after a temporary stabilization in fuel supply. However, due to the current fuel crisis marked by long lines and disorganization at service centers, Cimex Corporation and the Havana government have decided to gradually reinstate this system, as explained in a notification published on the Havana Citizen Portal.
The rollout will begin on March 13 at the El Tángana and 5ta y 112 service stations, with plans to expand citywide. Until then, the current queuing system will remain in place. Starting March 8, customers can register on the platform and book appointments.
Users are restricted to registering at only one service center, preventing them from signing up at multiple locations simultaneously. Once they receive their appointment, they must purchase the fuel within a 24-hour window.
Subscription Plans and Costs
To access the virtual waiting room and receive appointment alerts, clients are required to pay a subscription fee. The available plans are:
- 12 CUP for 14 days of subscription
- 20 CUP for 28 days of subscription
- 50 CUP for a 3-month subscription
This subscription model has faced significant criticism for introducing a payment system amidst an economic crisis where many Cubans struggle to afford basic necessities. With wages in national currency eroded by inflation and limited access to foreign currency, imposing an additional fee for essential commodities like fuel poses an exclusionary barrier.
Moreover, linking access to appointments with subscription payments creates inequalities among drivers, favoring those with financial means over those who cannot afford this service. Instead of addressing fuel distribution issues, this approach seems primarily focused on monetizing the problem without offering a genuine solution to the supply crisis.
Access and Technical Support
Customers can download the "Ticket" app from Apklis (a Cuban app store) or through the official Telegram channel of the platform. Additionally, Havana's Joven Club de Computación y Electrónica will provide technical assistance and software installation, incurring extra costs:
- Installation of EnZona APK: 25 CUP
- Installation of Ticket APK: 25 CUP
- Technical Assistance: 50 CUP
- Development and Implementation of APKs: 50 CUP
- Total Service Cost: 150 CUP
Contact and Customer Service
For inquiries and complaints, users can contact the following:
- Unique Number: 80000724
- Email: atencionalcliente@cimex.com.cu
- Technical Support for Ticket: ticket@xetid.cu
- Social Media: @cimex_cuba on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
Cuba is facing a worsening fuel crisis due to reduced imports from key trading partners. This scarcity has disrupted public transport, business operations, and daily life as citizens endure long waits for gasoline.
The reinstatement of the "Ticket" app comes at a crucial time. Recently, the Cuban government also announced new restrictions on the sale of special gasoline, limiting its purchase exclusively to payments in U.S. dollars (USD).
The Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET) stated that the shortage of this fuel type has necessitated the sector's dollarization, excluding drivers without access to this currency.
Since February 2025, service centers still stocking special gasoline have only sold it via USD cards, and state-issued cards for this fuel type have been converted to regular gasoline purchases.
This measure reinforces Cuba's trend towards dollarization, where in recent years, exclusive dollar sales have expanded across various sectors, including fuels and basic goods.
While the government defends these new strategies as solutions to the crisis, many Cubans remain skeptical about the efficacy of a system that seems to prioritize those who can afford an extra fee rather than ensuring equitable access to fuel and other products amid growing economic hardship.
Understanding the "Ticket" Platform and Fuel Crisis in Cuba
What is the "Ticket" platform in Havana?
The "Ticket" platform is a subscription-based system reintroduced by Havana to regulate fuel purchases amid the ongoing shortage. Users register and pay a fee to reserve a fuel quota at designated service stations.
How does the subscription model work for fuel purchases in Cuba?
Users pay a subscription fee to access a virtual waiting room and receive notifications for fuel purchase appointments, with plans ranging from 12 CUP for 14 days to 50 CUP for 3 months.
Why has the "Ticket" platform faced criticism?
Critics argue that the platform introduces a financial barrier in a time of economic crisis, creating disparities among drivers based on their ability to pay, rather than addressing the root causes of the fuel shortage.