He cuban government announced a new increase in the toll rate of the section of the Vía Blanca that connects Matanzas with Varaderoa measure that will come into force on January 20, 2026 and that will double the current amounts, according to the newspaper Giron.
The adjustment occurs less than a year from previous increase applied on that same highway, a decision that then generated criticism among drivers and residents of the area.
With the new update, motorcycles, cars, jeeps, panels and trucks will go from paying 40 to 80 Cuban pesos (CUP), while minibuses, buses, trucks and wedges will pay 160 CUP, double the current 80 pesos.
Furthermore, vehicles circulating with loading or dragging must assume an additional payment: 20 pesos more in the case of light vehicles and 40 additional pesos for minibuses, buses and trucks.
Varadero toll and a new price increase
According to Gironthe decision responds to the need to “enhance the collection of income, which is supported by the evaluation of the contributory capacities expressed in certain economic facts.”
The authorities confirmed that Exemptions and bonuses already approved will be maintained.
Among them, the 70% payment reduction is maintained for drivers residing in La Conchita, Boca de Camarioca, Santa Marta and Varadero, towns belonging to the Cárdenas municipality.
The discounts for those who pay the toll in advance by purchasing cardswith discounts of 5% for investments between 100 and 500 pesos, and 10% for amounts greater than that figure.
According to official information, the proceeds will be allocated to the Fund for the Development of Public Transportation, with the purpose of supporting the recovery and sustainability of road infrastructure and strengthening programs aimed at the gradual improvement of transportation services.
The deterioration of the streets and the promise of improving the roads
For its part, in an article titled “New Cuban rates impact Miami travelers in tourist areas: they will pay double,” The New Herald He pointed out that the Government of the island justifies the new amounts in adjustments contemplated in Law 113 of the tax system, in correspondence with “the conditions of the economy.”
On previous occasions, the authorities had recalled that the state budget includes investments for the construction and maintenance of roads, although they recognized the high financial cost of these works.
Despite the accumulated deterioration of streets and roads in the country for yearsthe authorities maintain that the toll increase seeks to improve the current conditions of the road network.
The regulations require both national and foreign drivers to pay the fee when traveling on certain sections of Cuban roads, and establishes that the proceeds will be allocated “in their entirety” to the budget assigned to road infrastructure, which does not improve despite promises and toll increases.
