In my blog post titled Interview and Analysis: Is the SL Access Card Outdated? I identified (what I believe to be) a major flaw with the current SL Access Card payment system. If you choose to pay for something you don’t need, simply because you can’t be bothered with the alternative, the system is faulty. Therefor I've chosen to analyze another payment system. Instead of paying beforehand, and having to predict the future, why not pay using direct debit?
Direct debit is an easy way to pay bills and is well suited for recurring bills. With direct debit, payment is deducted automatically on the correct day. Down below, I’ve arranged 5 Ws and one H in order to explain direct debit further:
Who is involved during a transfer?
You, the company you owe money and your bank.
What happens during a transaction using direct debit?
Payments are automatically transferred from your bank account on the morning of the due date. The company notifies you of the payment, the amount to be deducted and the date the payment will be deducted.
Where can you use direct debit?
Direct debit is automatic, you can be anywhere.
When do you use this form of payment?
Direct debit is well suited for recurring bills (rent, insurance etc.).
Why should you use this form of payment?
If all details are correct, all you need to do is ensure that there is money on your account on the day before the payment date.
How do you start using direct debit?
You agree to let a company deduct money from you account by signing a direct debit agreement with the company.
In conclusion, direct debit is well suited for recurring bills and the SL Access Card is a form of payment falling under this category (though it is a recurring bill you pay ahead of time). If you pay for your travels at the end of each month, instead of paying beforehand, you’d know how many trips you’ve made and how much it all adds up to. You wouldn’t have to know when you need to travel before you know you need to travel. Could this be the way to bring the SL Access Card up-to-date?
The Transport Agency already offer direct debit for the majority of taxes and charges within the automotive field, thus the taxes or charges are deducted automatically without you having to worry about it. Congestion tax is, as an example, paid in arrears. So, is the way of the Transport Agency the future of the public transit system? Maybe.
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