Prepay electricity system changed, users call it 'silly'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 555, 27 September 1994, Page 1

Prepay electricity system changed, users call it 'silly'

King Country Energy has reduced the number of outlets where its 400 customers who have prepay electricity meters installed can purchase power cards. General Manager Peter Till says the change has come about because a study has shown that the increased costs of servicing agency saies meant King Country Energy was providing the service at a loss. From 1 October, the meter cards will only be available in Ohakune from the Ruapehu District Council's Service Centre and from King Country Energy' s offices in Taumarunui and Turangi. This will restrict purchases to between the hours of 8am and 5pm on working week days, but he did not think this should create problems for

prepay card meter users. "Prior to the cards being made available at service stations in Taumarunui and Turangi, and from a dairy in Ohakune, we had very few occasions where people came seeking cards out of hours. In a six-month period, only three people were recorded as needing to buy extra cards on the weekend or outside business hours". However a spokesperson for a group of power card users, Cynthia Dowsett, said the change was "a bit silly". She said many of the power card users she knew of worked on the mountain or in jobs where they could not possibly get to the council office between 8am and 5pm.

And a large number of other users were weekend visitors who did not arrive in town until 5pm, by which time it was far too late to buy cards. She questioned Mr Till's claim that few people had sought cards after hours. "Who was doing the recording - the outlets are closed when people are looking for them so how do they know that they want them?" Mrs Dowsett said most of the users though the pre-pay cards were a great idea, but only if the cards were freely available. She said a number of extended-hour retailers were willing to sell the cards. Turn to Page 2

Power cards

From Page 1 "They are killing a good idea." Another problem was with transferring the cards. "Lots of the kids swap cards when they get caught short, but according to the power board they are not supposed to dpthat." Mr Till said if customers wished, they could post their remittance for cards to King Country Energy ' s offices and the cards would then be mailed back to them. Mr Till said all prepay meter customers had been written to about the changes and a reminder would be sent ' by mail a few days before. 1 October. In addition, King Country Energy would broadcast reminders on Fridays for a few weeks to ensure people checked they had enough credit showing on their electricity meters. "We recommend people buy more cards when they have a credit of less than $ 1 0 before normal weekends, and of between $20-$50 on long weekends or during holiday periods".. A study by King Country Energy has shown that card meter users are making worthwhile savings on their annual electricity costs, compared with power bills prior to having a card meter installed. "Power usage by card meter customers is down by 32 per cent on average, which would give each of them a saving of between 15 and 20 per cent".