COVID-19 Public Sector Payments: Using Kiosks to Keep Constituents and Staff Safe
Many utilities and local governments are keeping their buildings and payment centers closed amid COVID-19 to keep customers and staff safe. Governments and utilities can continue safely serving in-person customers with kiosks. Approximately 60% of people who pay in person in the U.S. are cash-preferred customers, who may not have the option to pay for things like water and power bills, permits, and taxes by phone or online if they don’t have access to a credit card or bank account.
Essential service providers like utilities can continue providing in-person payment options for their residents by installing outdoor payment kiosks. These provide a secure, 24/7 self-service option for customers that must pay in-person.
Fast, No-Hassle Installation
The only site requirement to install a kiosk is a power outlet and 5’x5′ space. CityBase has a proven track record of rolling out large-scale kiosk networks in a matter of weeks. All kiosk software is cloud-based and runs on CityBase’s PCI Level-1 compliant payment platform.
24/7 Service to In-Person Customers, Without Risking Staff
Outdoor payment kiosks allow customers to pay at a time when it’s safe and convenient for them, without initiating contact with other people. If you’ve closed a payment center or are limiting business hours to promote social distancing, kiosks provide a secure payment option for customers paying with card, check, or cash. For one regional power company, they saw a +19% increase in kiosk users as they closed their payment centers.
Fast Transaction Times Eliminate Lines
It takes the average customer under one minute to make a cash payment on a CityBase kiosk, and even faster for check or debit and credit cards. Intuitive, visual instructions make it easy for even new kiosk customers to complete payments quickly. This eliminates lines and crowding around a kiosk.
“Our customers are very grateful that they have the option to pay 24/7. They hop out of their car, they make their payment, and they’re on their way,” according to CityBase client City Utilities of Springfield.
No-Fee Cash Payments
CityBase never charges your customers a transaction fee when they make a cash payment — never have, never will. This eliminates an extra burden for customers who may be struggling financially during this challenging time, particularly cash-earners in the service industry.
Off-Premise Monitoring and Revenue Management
Maintain business continuity with cloud-based revenue management for your remote staff. The CityBase Revenue Management Dashboard allows your teams to view and manage kiosk transactions, with secure login and permission-based access from any device. CityBase actively monitors live kiosks to proactively alert clients and resolve issues remotely.
Use CARES Act Funds to Pay for No-Contact Payment Kiosks
Some utilities and local governments are using CARES Act funding to purchase outdoor payment kiosks that allow residents to make contactless, in-person payments 24/7. Kiosks can qualify as a reimbursable COVID expense if the purchase was made to respond to the public health emergency to mitigate cash handling.
CityBase can expedite kiosk installation in a matter of weeks.
