Getting a ticket to leave Sancti Spíritus has become a torment, where legality is the slowest and almost always an ineffective route. While travelers face endless queues, issues with the Viajando app, and frustrating waiting lists, those who have enough money to pay "under the table" can access tickets without any problems.
An article published by the official outlet Escambray reported on the chaos and corruption that persist in interprovincial transportation in the province, where, just like in the rest of the country, the demand for tickets far exceeds the supply. The consequence is a perfect breeding ground for illegal activities and bribery as a means of exchange.
"A pesar de que casi nadie realiza acusaciones con nombre y apellido, the vox populi claims that when someone has enough money to bribe, they quickly find a ticket,” highlighted the text.
Although the authorities of the National and Passenger Bus companies acknowledge "some administrative sanctions and even permanent separations taken against drivers and terminal workers, as well as certain restructuring of their services to prevent ticket reselling," the reality "cannot be hidden with a finger," the state-run media admitted.
Citizen reports are scarce, not due to a lack of victims, but because of fear of reprisals and distrust in institutional effectiveness. In this regard, the media directly questioned the state company Viajeros, "which needs to better organize and manage the sale of its services."
Corruption ranges from the illegal sale of tickets within terminals to the reselling of space in the luggage compartments, charging for non-existent seats, aisles packed with passengers without seats, and arbitrary stops to favor personal interests.
According to the report, drivers who feel like "owners and lords" of the buses "and practice multiple schemes" are part of the problem.
The technical situation of the fleet does not help either. Of the 28 buses available in the province, only half are operational due to a lack of tires, parts, batteries, and oils. Despite this, the authorities assure that no trips have been canceled, although 8% of departures have experienced delays.
As an alternative option, he added, the Viazul service remains available for tourists and Cubans with access to international cards backed by foreign currency on two routes: Trinidad-Varadero and Trinidad-Sancti Spíritus.
CiberCuba recently confirmed with company officials that it only accepts payments in euros and via bank cards, such as Visa or MasterCard. This method, which is not new, leaves Cubans within the island unable to book trips with Viazul, which, despite numerous shortcomings, offers a more reliable service than the interprovincial bus network.
This option, noted Escambray, generates an annual income of over 450,000 convertible pesos, the use of which is determined by the company at a national level, and in recent times, it has allowed for improvements in the buses that service interprovincial routes, he stated.
"The country prioritizes this service," the official rhetoric claims, but in practice, the majority of people in Sancti Spíritus remain stuck in the vicious cycle of waiting, despair, or bribery.
At the beginning of 2025, the Ministry of Transport reduced the number of tickets that a user can purchase through the Viajando application over a period of 30 days: from 30 to 15, with the supposed aim of improving the ticket sales process for buses and trains for interprovincial travel.
Historically, there has been a overbooking of tickets at Cuban terminals, fueled by the shortage of interprovincial transportation. Furthermore, travelers can spend days overnight and sleep on the floor of waiting terminals.
The energy crisis also impacts the national bus terminals, as only three of them have generators that ensure a power supply: the Central Station and the Villanueva Station in Havana, as well as the one in Guantánamo. The rest of the stations across the country lack this energy backup.
In addition, several incidents related to theft in Cuba's interprovincial transportation raise alarms about safety.
In March, three individuals attempted to commit a robbery on a bus on the Havana–Camagüey route. One of them hid in a suitcase in the vehicle's compartment, while the other two pretended to be passengers. The driver noticed suspicious behavior and stopped the bus. The passengers confronted the alleged thieves and, before the police arrived, gave them a beating.
The National Bus Company concluded 2024 with a significant reduction in its operations, as only 36% of the trips that were made in 2019 are still being maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions about Corruption and Transportation in Sancti Spíritus
How does corruption affect ticket sales in Sancti Spíritus?
Corruption in ticket sales in Sancti Spíritus allows those with enough money to bribe to obtain tickets without issues, while others face long queues and failures in the Viajando app. This creates an environment where illegality and bribery are the norm, affecting the majority of citizens who cannot afford to pay "under the table."
What is the technical situation of public transportation in Sancti Spíritus?
The technical situation of public transport in Sancti Spíritus is critical, as only half of the 28 buses are operational due to a lack of tires, parts, batteries, and oils. This increases delays in departures and worsens the already poor interprovincial transport offerings, intensifying the frustration of passengers.
What alternatives are available for travelers in Sancti Spíritus?
As an alternative to interprovincial public transportation, the Viazul service is offered, which is accessible to tourists and Cubans with international currency cards. However, this option excludes the majority of Cubans who do not have access to these payment methods, further limiting their mobility options.
What measures have the authorities taken to improve the transportation situation?
The authorities have implemented administrative sanctions and permanent separations for some drivers and terminal workers, as well as service reorganizations. However, these measures have been insufficient to address the structural problems and corruption in ticket sales remains a serious issue.
Filed under:
