PURCHASE, N.Y. -- MasterCard International has teamed up with The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and USA Technologies to announce that 1,000 Coca-Cola vending machines enabled with the e-port cashless transaction solution will begin accepting MasterCard PayPass. The deployment is said to be the largest rollout of contactless technology in vending machines in a U.S. market to date.
The rollout in Philadelphia follows the trials of USA Technologies' e-Port by MasterCard and USA Technologies in vending machines in New York City and Atlanta. USA Technologies' [image-nocss] Generation Six (G6) e-Port radio frequency technology was developed specifically to accept MasterCard PayPass and other forms of contactless payments.
The more than $40 billion U.S. vending industry opens up an entirely new market for payment companies, as we offer consumers a fast and convenient payment method, said T.J. Sharkey, vice president of business development, U.S. acceptance, for MasterCard International. PayPass will help revolutionize the vending industry by providing operators with new efficiencies and increased transaction revenues, and by giving consumers improved service.
Consumers no longer need to use cash and coins. To use this technology, consumers tap their MasterCard PayPass-enabled card or device on the vending machine's e-Port payment terminal. Within seconds, the terminal will flash a light and produce a tone signaling the transaction is complete. As with all MasterCard PayPass transactions under $25, no signature will be required for purchases. In addition to accepting MasterCard PayPass, the terminals will also accept traditional magnetic-stripe credit and debit cards.
Philadelphia Coca-Cola constantly strives to bring superior quality and service to customers, and we believe our relationship with MasterCard and USA Technologies will give consumers what they wantgreater convenience and ease of use when making purchases at vending machines, said Domenic Celenza, vice president of cold drink sales for the bottler.
MasterCard PayPass uses radio frequency technology to transmit payment details wirelessly between the PayPass device and the merchant's terminal. The transaction is then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement. PayPass technology can be found in a number of different forms. PayPass cards include magnetic stripe technology, so the cards can also be used in the traditional manner anywhere MasterCard is accepted around the world. PayPass technology can also be used in a number of devices, such as a convenient payment tag that fits on a key chain for easy access, and in mobile phones.
MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, such as quick-serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems and parking garages, the companies said. There are approximately seven million PayPass cards and devices in the market and approximately 30,000 merchant locations around the world that accept PayPass, including participating 7-Eleven, CVS, McDonald's, Regal Entertainment Group theaters and many others. PayPass is also accepted at numerous National Football League and Major League Baseball stadiums.
Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling is the fourth largest distributor of Coca-Cola products nationwide. The single largest bottling complex in North America, Philly Coke offers 35 beverage choices and serves 5.6 million consumers.
USA Technologies, Malvern, Pa., is a provider of the networking of wireless noncash transactions, associated financial/network services and energy management. It provides networked credit card and other noncash systems in the vending, commercial laundry, hospitality and digital imaging industries.
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