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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
July 20 - 26, 2010
Customers can now use cash to add to SunPass accounts BY JORGE MARTINEZ
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) has introduced a first-of-its-kind program that helps cash-based customers access electronic toll collection (SunPass) services more readily and conveniently, even if the customers don’t have a bank account or credit card. PBS&J assisted FTE in designing and implementing the program. Customers now are able to use cash to add money to a prepaid SunPass account at hundreds of locations throughout Florida. “The SunPass prepaid electronic toll collection system significantly reduces traffic congestion on Florida’s roads,” said Richard (Rick) Nelson, FTE’s director of Toll Operations. “Customers have a safer, faster, and more convenient ride to their destination-and vehicle emissions are reduced. Around 70 percent of our customers now use SunPass. We’re now making electronic tolling much more convenient for our cash-based customers.” To date, FTE has encouraged customers to purchase and/or replenish their SunPass accounts via a bank account or credit card. However, on average — according to a study by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — about a quarter of the U.S. population overall transacts financial obligations either entirely or mostly in cash. The new cash-based retail locations will consist of a combination of computerized kiosks (similar to ATM machines) and staffed facilities (such as check cashing and money transfer outlets). As the
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program gains recognition, FTE and its authorized vendors plan to open additional retail locations. FTE has selected Blackstone, ePay, and TIO Networks to provide cash-based services to its customers over the next several years. A video on how the new system works can be viewed at <www.wesh.com/ news/23990219/detail.html>. FTE also recently announced its program to implement all-electronic tolling (AET) on the Homestead Extension of the Florida’s Turnpike in 2011. AET will result in the removal of tollbooths and the discontinuation of the option to pay cash tolls along the roadway. FTE’s new cashbased program allows customers to continue to pay cash via their SunPass account. Although SunPass remains the safer and more preferred payment option, FTE also plans to offer a Toll-By-Plate product if a customer does not have a valid SunPass account. The customer can pay cash for a bill that is generated from a digital photograph taken of their license plate as they drive through the toll gantry. Within the next year, FTE plans to roll out additional services for cash-based customers including purchasing new SunPass transponders, and rolling out the TollBy-Plate payment options when this program is available. “FTE’s new outreach to cash-based customers will enable as many people as possible to access FTE’s AET facilities,” said Nelson. “We’re excited about the opportunity to offer even better service to Florida’s traveling public.”
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