Through this partnership, Greyhound customers have more choices of where they can pay for their ticket, and those who do not have access to a credit or debit card can take advantage of discounts previously reserved for online-only purchases. The companies [image-nocss] are testing this feature in the Dallas/Fort Worth area at more than 270 7-Eleven locations for the next three months.
"Greyhound always is looking for ways to improve the ticket-buying experience and give customers the flexibility they need," said Dave Leach, president and CEO of Greyhound. "We especially wanted to provide a higher level of service and convenience for customers who pay for their tickets with cash. This partnership with 7-Eleven allows us to serve more customers in the D/FW area and makes it easier for them to take advantage of discounted fares offered online."
According to a February 2010 study conducted by CreditCards.com, 29% of Americans do not have a credit card. For these consumers, purchasing a Greyhound bus ticket with cash previously required a trip to a Greyhound terminal or the purchase of a prepaid debit card.
"We believe this relationship with Greyhound offers many of our customers a valuable service," said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven's senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics. "We continue to seek innovative ways to serve our guests and are looking forward to the potential growth of this type of service when we expand the program to our other stores in the U.S."
The technology that enables 7-Eleven to tap into Greyhound's booking system is powered by PayNearMe, a Mountain View, Calif. company that provides a cash transaction network.
Customers can book their tickets two ways. To book online, customers go to www.greyhound.com, select their schedule and cash as their payment option. The selected schedule is placed on a courtesy hold for 48 hours. The customer prints a confirmation slip and takes it to a participating 7-Eleven store to pay for their ticket with cash within that 48-hour window. To book by phone, a customer can pick up a special re-usable Greyhound card at any participating 7-Eleven store and call a toll-free number to book a ticket with a telephone agent.
The customer hands the card to the 7-Eleven store associate who swipes it and accepts the cash payment. Whether booked online or over the phone, the 7-Eleven store associate provides the customer with a printed ticket and receipt upon payment, which allows him or her to proceed directly to the bus terminal and board without waiting in line at a ticket counter.
Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,800 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express (GPX) and charter services.
Dallas-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,400 convenience stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 40,900 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion.
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