The company specialized in passenger bus transportation, Viazul, only accepts payments in euros and via bank cards, such as Visa or MasterCard, as confirmed by CiberCuba this Friday with employees from the company.
The main website of the company displays prices in euros, thus excluding other currencies. After inquiring via the contact number for Viazul provided on Facebook about the payment method, an employee referred to the website and confirmed that it was the only way to book a trip.
The prices of trips vary depending on the route. From Santiago de Cuba to Havana, it costs 60 euros; from Camagüey to the capital, 36; from Varadero, 15; from Holguín, 50.
The price increases if the traveler wishes to add luggage. Only two pieces of luggage are allowed per reservation weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg, and a fee of 10 euros must be paid for each piece. Thus, a reservation from Santiago to Havana with two pieces of 23 kg luggage would cost a total of 80 euros (approximately 30,800 CUP at the current euro exchange rate in the informal market).
To pay for a "Mini" luggage, weighing up to 2.5 kg, the cost, on the other hand, amounts to 15 euros per suitcase.
This method, which is not new, leaves Cubans without the option to book trips who, on the Island, choose Viazul, which, despite numerous deficiencies, offers a more reliable service than the interprovincial bus network.
A post made by writer and playwright Atilio Caballero highlighted this unique option for paying for tickets and pointed out that, even having euros in cash, one could not purchase a ticket on Viazul.
"I just found out: if you want/can travel on ViAzul (because there’s no other option and you're traveling with children, as is the case), it turns out you can only pay in Euros (not in dollars, for example, our now 'second currency'). But if you have those Euros in cash, you still can't pay: it's only possible with Visa or Master Card. Apparently, ViAzul is not a Cuban bus company for Cubans," he wrote on Facebook.
In its ongoing messages to promote its transportation service, Viazul has consistently praised its work and the "quality" of its buses, which few Cubans can afford.
However, internet users have lashed out against the company, which has numerous deficiencies. In addition to criticizing that the option to book in euros through the website is a strategy to collect remittances from abroad, Cubans have reported that neither the service is consistent nor are the buses reliable.
Many trips are delayed and have resulted in Cubans missing flights who choose this option. Others find themselves stranded along the way due to bus breakdowns.
Reports collected by CiberCuba reveal that during a journey from Havana Airport to Camagüey, passengers waited for hours for a replacement bus after the rear window of the bus broke.
By 2020, Viazul had announced that its services could only be paid for in Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) using an international card.
Before the pandemic, the online system of the entity already recorded the value of reservations in US dollars and accepted eight different international credit cards, but at least back then it was possible to purchase tickets with cash in convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) at Viazul agencies across the country.
That measure, which highlighted the regime's attempt at dollarization, made an essential service less accessible to the population.
Now, with the euro as the only currency, the alternatives are becoming even more limited.
Frequently Asked Questions about Payment in Viazul and Dollarization in Cuba
What is the only accepted form of payment on Viazul?
Viazul only accepts payments in euros via bank cards, such as Visa or MasterCard. This means that cash payments are not possible, not even in dollars, which limits access to its services for most Cubans who do not have international cards.
Why doesn't Viazul accept other forms of payment?
The Viazul policy of accepting only euro payments through bank cards seems to be a strategy to attract remittances from abroad. This limits local access to the service and fosters dependency on foreign currency income. Historically, the Cuban government has implemented similar measures in other sectors, such as energy and commerce, to strengthen itself economically through foreign currency.
What are the prices for the most popular Viazul routes?
The prices for routes on Viazul vary depending on the distance. For example, the trip from Santiago de Cuba to Havana costs 60 euros, while from Camagüey to Havana costs 36 euros. Additionally, extra charges for luggage apply, which can significantly increase the total cost of the journey.
How does partial dollarization affect services in Cuba?
Partial dollarization in Cuba means that many essential services and products can only be purchased in foreign currencies, excluding those who do not have access to these currencies. This policy has generated economic and social inequality, leaving the majority of the Cuban population without access to basic services. The trend includes markets, transportation, and fuels, all subject to payment in foreign currency, which exacerbates the economic disparities on the island.
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