Calgary Stampede-goers looking to recharge with a cold drink no longer need to worry about having cash in their pockets.
Visitors to the 2013 Calgary Stampede are the first Canadians to be able to pay for their vending machine purchase with a simple tap of a debit card.
Sixteen Coca-Cola pop machines scattered throughout the grounds are the first-of-their kind and allow thirsty grounds visitors to pay with a touch of of their Interac Flash-enabled cards.
The new technology is a trial-run for the soda giant, which plans to deploy another 4,000 of the vending machines across Canada this summer.
Customers no longer need to worry about having change in their pockets or standing in long lines for the debit machine, explains Interac Association President and CEO Mark O'Connell.
“As a leader in the beverage marketplace, Coca-Cola understands the value that Interac Flash offers, particularly to its consumers wanting to pay quickly and securely at its vending machines with funds from their bank accounts," he said in a statement.
According to the Interac Flash website, cardholders are able to pay for smaller value items by holding their debit cards in front of a supportive point-of-sale terminal.
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Swipeless debit technology has seen an uptick over the past year in Canada with fast food chains like Tim Hortons and McDonalds adopting the quick-payment method.
And considering the long lines for both cash machines and food vendors at the Calgary Stampede, the convenience offered by the new technology bodes well for ground goers.
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