The Cost of Going Cashless at U.S. National Parks As Many Switch to Plastic-Only

[Callalily]

I can understand the reasoning behind parks going cashless, but I also think that they should offer a cash option. As stated in the article, not all households have bank accounts.

https://www.frommers.com/trip-ideas/national-park/the-cost-of-going-cashless-at-us-national-parks

[Phoenix61]

1. Seems great for the credit card companies that get a percentage

of every transaction.

[2naSalit]

3. +1

[jimfields33]

2. They have a onetime use card you can get at the place.

You put cash in the machine, a card spits out and you’re on your way. They accommodate everyone.

[sl8]

7. Which one(s)?

Clearly not all, if rangers are suggesting "going to a store somewhere" to buy a gift card.

[..]

Addressing the issue of unbanked and underbanked would-be park visitors, Stuckrath, the National Park Service spokesperson, said, “Parks and sites that make the transition to cashless operations are encouraged to provide alternative options for visitors who are only able to pay with cash or check.”

What might those alternatives be? “Purchasing a prepaid pass or providing a cash exchange machine outside of the park entrance,” said Stuckrath. Additionally, visitors can look into whether they qualify for one of the park service's free passes, such as the ones for military members and people with disabilities.

Salapek, the Badlands ranger, recommended that those who can only use cash go to a store somewhere and buy a prepaid debit or gift card to use for the entrance fee.

[...]

Rawlings of Crater Lake told us that site is “working on third-party agreements with local businesses outside the park where visitors can go to purchase a park entrance pass and pay cash there if they wish.” But she didn't supply a time line for when that alternative will be available.

[...]

[Blues Heron]

4. I hate cashless BS

In an email, National Park Service communications rep Ellie Stuckrath told Frommer’s that an effort is underway to “reduce the amount of cash and check deposits across the federal government in order to reduce organizational risk.”

At national park sites, according to Stuckrath, “Cashless options reduce transaction times at busy entrance stations, decrease the risk of theft, reduce chances of errors, and maximize the funding available for critical projects and visitor services.”

[2naSalit]

5. I can see a pile of problems...

Every park is unique and some are more difficult to monitor in these situations. Take the larger "drive-through" parks like Yellowstone. So many people go through that just getting in the gate takes over an hour many days in summer, I can just imagine the pile up at vending machines for cash conversion. Stocking and maintaining these things will add another set of tasks to those already covered by staff... the ones in uniforms with the badges because they are the ones cleared to handle cash and passes.

It was a fiasco when they went to the newer POS registers in the visitor centers where many passes are sold and at the gates. I'm so glad I'm not there to have to deal with this.

[TeamProg]

6. The entrance kiosk rangers at Yosemite park were at a huge risk

from robbery before cashless rule was applied.

A lot of cash was present with very little security.

Would you rather they be forced to carry firearms?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Then I guess they should take the

"This note is legal tender for all debts public and private" off the bills, since apparently that's no longer accurate.

I likewise despise the move to plastic only, as I prefer to pay cash most of the time.