Tskhinval about to get its first ever pay boxes

Pay boxes are about to be installed in Tskhinval streets for the first time. The locals will use the machines to pay their utility bills, discharge their taxes, and refill their mobile phone balance, among other transactions.

The arrival of the new amenity is a result of five years’ preparations that have been funded from the republic’s budget, general director of System company Andrei Kabisov said.

“There are several payment processing companies in Russia. Initially, we approached a company called ‘Qiwi’, however the processing fee it offered to charge on our payments was too high. After that we set up here a server of our own and got another Russian company – ‘Sisplat’ – to process the payments.”

In all, 35 payboxes are expected to be installed in Tskhinval. For now, 15 of them are ready to be used. Four of the fifteen terminals will be inserted in Tskhinval’s busiest streets as early as next week. The rest eleven machines are to go to private businesses and state facilities.

The boxes will charge a 7 percent commission on all transactions. However, if the town’s development and improvement agencies take it upon themselves to cover the commission expenses, ordinary residents will be liable to no additional charge when paying their utilities.

The opinions expressed in the report convey the author’s terminology and views and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial staff.