Greyhound and 7-Eleven, Inc. today announced they are providing customers a more convenient way to purchase Greyhound tickets. Starting this week, customers can book Greyhound tickets at Greyhound.com or by phone and complete their purchase with cash at participating 7-Eleven® stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
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 are testing this feature in the D/FW 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, 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, a reported 29 percent of Americans do not have a credit card.(i) For these consumers, purchasing a Greyhound bus ticket with cash previously required a trip to a Greyhound terminal or the purchase of a pre-paid debit card.
"We believe this relationship with Greyhound offers many of our customers a valuable service," said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven, Inc.'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."
How it Works:
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. A customer can book their ticket 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 them to proceed directly to the bus terminal and board without waiting in line at a ticket counter.
About Greyhound
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. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com. For the latest news and travel deals, follow GreyhoundBus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GreyhoundBus and Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,400 7-Eleven® 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. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine's 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2009 and #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year from PL (Private Label) Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. The company is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
