The payment channel decides the revenue side of a station. In practice the right answer is rarely a single channel, but a mix chosen to suit the location.
Tokens and banknotes
Tokens are the most durable and least failure-prone option, with no exchange rates or commissions to worry about. In return they need a sales point and regular cash collection. A banknote channel is convenient for the customer but asks for more frequent servicing because of damp and dust.
Cards and QR
Card payment lifts the average basket, particularly on busy urban sites, because nobody has to hunt for change. QR and mobile payment cut the hardware cost further, but they need a stable internet connection on site.
What we usually recommend
- Token-led setups on out-of-town, lower-traffic sites
- Card and token side by side on urban sites
- A card top-up system where there are fleet or business customers
- An IoT module for remote monitoring in every case
Whichever channel you choose, matching the timer relay and control panel to the payment unit noticeably reduces downtime.
