March 27, 2006
ePaynews: On average, U.S. consumers spend 50 percent more at credit or debit card-enabled vending machines, a similar trend to when the quick-serve food industry began accepting card payments. Card purchases at train stations, airports and roadside rest-areas grew 52 percent over cash, to an average of $2.33, versus $1.53 for cash, according to a survey of 633,120 cashless transactions totaling $1.2 million at 500 vending machines. At theme parks, zoos, museums and theaters, ticket prices rose by 82 percent to an average of $3.29, versus $1.81 for cash.