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Havana is once again implementing a subscription-based platform for purchasing fuel, in an effort to regulate access to this resource amid the ongoing supply crisis in Cuba. The measure, which had previously been enforced and later withdrawn, is generating mixed reactions among the population and the transportation sector.
According to official announcements, the system will operate under a monthly subscription model, where users will need to register and pay a fee to access a specified quota of fuel at authorized service stations.
Details about the new Ticket platform
The "Ticket" platform was initially implemented in 2023 at certain service stations in Havana, but it was withdrawn after an apparent stabilization of supplies. Due to the current fuel crisis, long lines and organizational issues at service stations, the Cimex Corporation, along with the Government of Havana, has decided to gradually reactivate this system, as explained in a news release published on the Havana Citizen Portal.
The implementation process will begin on March 13 at the El Tángana and 5ta y 112 service stations, and will then expand to the rest of the city. Until that date, fuel sales will continue under the current queue organization system. Starting March 8, customers will be able to register on the platform and reserve appointments.
Users will only be able to register at a single service center, preventing the possibility of signing up in multiple places at the same time. After receiving their appointment, they will have 24 hours to purchase the fuel.
Subscription plans and costs
To access the virtual waiting room and receive notifications about the assignment of appointments, clients will need to pay a subscription. There are three plans available:
12 CUP for 14 days of subscription
20 CUP for 28 days of subscription
50 CUP for a 3-month subscription
This subscription scheme has been widely criticized for establishing a payment system amid an economic crisis in which many Cubans can barely afford basic products. In a country where salaries in national currency have been eroded by inflation and lack of access to foreign currency, imposing an additional fee to access an essential good like fuel represents an exclusionary barrier.
Moreover, the fact that access to the service depends on the payment of a subscription creates inequalities among drivers, favoring those who can afford it over those who cannot spend on this service. Instead of improving the distribution of fuel, the measure seems focused on monetizing the problem without providing a real solution to the supply crisis.
Access and technical assistance
Customers can download the "Ticket" app from the Apklis portal (a Cuban app store) or through the official Telegram channel of the platform. Additionally, the Joven Club de Computación y Electrónica in Havana will offer technical assistance and software installation for an additional fee
Installation of the EnZona APK: 25 CUP
APK Ticket Installation: 25 CUP
Technical Assistance: 50 CUP
Development and implementation of APKs: 50 CUP
Total cost of the service: 150 CUP
Contact and customer service
For inquiries and complaints, users can get in touch through the following channels:
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 fuel crisis exacerbated by a reduction in imports from its main trading partners. The shortage has impacted public transportation, the functioning of businesses, and the daily lives of citizens, who must endure long lines to obtain gasoline.
The reactivation of the "Ticket" application is being implemented at a critical moment. Recently, the Cuban government also announced new restrictions on the sale of special gasoline, limiting its purchase solely to payments in United States dollars (USD).
Cuba-Petroleum Union (CUPET) announced that the shortage of this type of fuel has forced the sector to dollarize, excluding drivers who do not have access to this currency.
Since February 2025, service stations that still offer premium gasoline only sell it using USD cards, while the state-issued cards authorized for this type of fuel were automatically converted for the purchase of regular gasoline.
This measure reinforces the trend of dollarization in Cuba, where in recent years, the exclusive sale in dollars has expanded across various sectors, including fuels and basic goods.
While the government defends these new strategies as a solution to the crisis, many Cubans view the effectiveness with skepticism of a system that, rather than ensuring equitable access to fuel and other products, seems to prioritize those who can pay an additional fee in a context of increasing economic precariousness.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fuel Subscription Platform in Havana
What is the "Ticket" platform for purchasing fuel in Havana?
The "Ticket" platform is a system that allows users to register and pay for a subscription to obtain a fuel allocation at authorized stations in Havana. Users must register at a single service station and pay a fee to access a specific allocation of fuel.
What subscription plans are available for the "Ticket" platform?
There are three subscription plans: 12 CUP for 14 days, 20 CUP for 28 days, and 50 CUP for 3 months. These plans allow users to access the virtual waiting room and receive notifications about the assignment of turn numbers for fuel purchases.
How can one access the "Ticket" application, and what technical support is available?
The "Ticket" application is available for download on the Apklis portal and through the official Telegram channel of the platform. The Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs in Havana offer technical assistance and software installation, with a total cost of 150 CUP.
How does the new "Ticket" platform affect fuel sales in Havana?
The platform aims to regulate access to fuel amidst the supply crisis in Cuba, implementing a subscription system that limits access based on users' payment capacity, which has drawn criticism for its lack of fairness in accessing essential resources.
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