Customers use PayNearMe to book tickets online and pay with cash at 7-Eleven
Greyhound Bus Lines is now partnering with its Dallas cohorts, convenience retailer 7-Eleven, Inc. and ACE Cash Express, in a nationwide program that essentially turns these neighborhood stores into Greyhound ticketing offices.
According to a July 2012 Mintel Marketing study, 26 percent of Americans do not have a credit card. Greyhound says these consumers now have more options than a trip to a Greyhound terminal or the purchase of a prepaid debit card.
Using PayNearMe™ technology, cash passengers can go to www.greyhound.com to select a schedule, print a payment barcode, take it to their nearest 7-Eleven store and purchase the ticket at the register. The selected travel itinerary is on a courtesy hold for 48 hours. Greyhound ticketing is available at more than 6,400 participating 7-Eleven stores and approximately 1,800 ACE Cash Express stores.
“About 50 percent of Greyhound’s customers use cash to pay for their bus tickets,” says Dave Leach, president and CEO of Greyhound. “Until now there’s been no way to deliver exclusive online discounts to this constituency or even to allow these customers to pay for tickets in advance by phone or online. This is our way of making life easier for our loyal cash customers.”
According to PayNearMe CEO Danny Shader, his company operates under the premise that all consumers deserve the right to the same goods and services, regardless of their preferred method of payment or financial situation.
“Our partnership with Greyhound and 7-Eleven provides unbanked and underbanked consumers with more fare options,” he says. “They also have discounts only available on Greyhound.com.”
Leach says this partnership with PayNearMe and ACE Cash Express allows Greyhound to invite more customers to experience the safe, affordable and convenient experience. BR