Starting August 1st, drivers in Havana will be required to present their vehicle's circulation card in order to purchase fuel at the service stations that operate with the Ticket application.
The new measure eliminates the use of the plate as an identifier, a mode that had been temporarily accepted at various points in the capital.
The information was confirmed by the official newspaper Tribuna de La Habana, which also acknowledged the existence of irregularities during the registration process, such as the use of the same vehicle at different service stations to gain access to more than one purchase shift.
The Ticket platform, gradually implemented since March in the capital, now requires users to be registered with their vehicle's license plate number, as well as other personal information such as first name, last name, identity card number, email address, and phone number.
The fraudulent use of the system has been one of the arguments used by the authorities to justify the new filter, although it has been a practice carried out by drivers to secure more fuel amid a severe crisis.
Customers who are still registered only with the badge will be able to purchase gasoline until July 31.
After that date, those who have not uploaded the circulation in the app will not be able to access the service.
The measure is part of the so-called "refinement" of the fuel sales process, but in practice, it represents a new barrier for hundreds of Havanas who depend on fuel to work or move around amid chronic scarcity.
The Ticket platform, developed by Xetid, has faced continuous criticism due to technical failures, delays, overloads, and a lack of transparency in the assignment of appointments.
Nevertheless, the government insists on its mandatory use in the capital, without providing real alternatives for those who have difficulties with digital access or the registration process.
Following the announcement of the new measure, social media was flooded with criticism,疑惑, and reports of irregularities.
Many Cubans believe that the Ticket platform has not solved anything, but rather has deepened corruption, the black market, and inequality in access to fuel, including actor Luis Alberto García, who erupted after attempting to get gas in Havana.
"The more they want to control, the more illegality increases. You only need to stand for 20 minutes at any Cupet in Havana to see how people pass without a ticket and how turning in line illegally costs 4,000 pesos or more. Everyone knows this," denounced David Morales, who also questioned the fate of state revenues in foreign currency: "What you have created is a monster of the black market that you don’t have the guts to stop."
For Elizabeth González Aznar, the authorities only "correct distortions" as they go along, without addressing the underlying problem: "They implement measures and along the way come the corrections. That’s not how you make progress... What a country," she stated.
Other users reported experiences of abandonment and a lack of response. Janny Pérez stated that she has been registered for almost a year at a service station in Santa Clara without receiving fuel: "But there is fuel available for dollars," she pointed out ironically.
Reinier Noa explained that the application itself prevents him from correctly registering his circulation number, which causes him to lose his turn every time. "And those 10 liters go to someone else," he stated.
Aloyma Rodríguez Tusell encapsulated the widespread sentiment with a powerful phrase: “Everything is an odyssey. In this country, everything is a problem that makes life impossible for Cubans.”
Frequently asked questions about using the Ticket app to purchase gasoline in Havana
What are the new requirements for buying gasoline in Havana through the Ticket app?
Starting from August 1, drivers must present the vehicle registration in order to purchase fuel at the service stations that operate with the Ticket application. This measure eliminates the use of the license plate as an identifier, which had been accepted provisionally.
Why has the mandatory use of the Ticket app for purchasing fuel been implemented?
The Cuban government has mandated the use of the Ticket application to try to organize the distribution of fuel due to the severe shortage affecting the country. However, many argue that this has led to greater inequality and corruption, as it does not provide real solutions for those facing difficulties with digital access.
What are the criticisms of the Ticket application and its implementation in Cuba?
The Ticket platform has faced constant criticism for technical failures, delays, and a lack of transparency in the allocation of appointments. Furthermore, its implementation has been viewed as a measure that deepens corruption and the black market, and does not address the fuel crisis in Cuba, exacerbating inequality in access to this resource.
What impact does dollarization have on gasoline purchasing in Cuba?
The dollarization of the energy sector in Cuba has created an exclusive barrier for the majority of the population who do not have access to foreign currencies. The sale of special gasoline in dollars deepens economic inequality and prioritizes the collection of foreign currency over equitable access to essential resources.
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