University campus trials cashless payments

Otago University student Katie Fenton (20) with her coffee on campus yesterday. PHOTO: PETER...
Otago University student Katie Fenton (20) with her coffee on campus yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Shops and cafes at the University of Otago’s Dunedin campus have switched to exclusively electronic payments in a trial throughout the second semester.

University Union general manager Stephen Baughan said that, before the Covid-19 lockdown, cash sales had amounted to less than 10% of transactions.

He was happy yesterday at how the trial was progressing

More than 50,000 customers had been served electronically since the semester started on July 6, and there had been no problems with the electronic payment system.

He had asked for feedback, and a modest number of people had given it, but he wanted more.

Most early feedback had been positive, although several customers had preferred a cash option.

Ecology student Katie Fenton had not been aware of the cashless trial, and had been surprised, but had recently paid electronically at the union, including for a coffee yesterday, instead of using the usual cash.

Going electronic was "probably a good idea" in theory, but she hoped cash could still be used in at least one union outlet after the trial, she said.

Mr Baughan said the change was made post-lockdown, and the union had wanted for some time to go cashless, given ‘‘benefits for customers and the university’’.

Eliminating cash was more hygienic, more efficient and saved time, he said.

Union staff at 18 outlets had operated 26 tills and spent about 40 hours a week managing cash, he said.

Comments

Given cash is legal tender, if someone were to clock up debt and then offer cash as payment, The Union wouldn't have any option but to accept it.
10% of customers now annoyed is not great customer service.

 

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