Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ames!netsys!vector!telecom-gateway From: dswise@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Some notes on the UK phone system Message-ID: Date: 24 Mar 89 04:00:47 GMT Sender: news@vector.UUCP Organization: Indiana University CSCI, Bloomington Lines: 19 Approved: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.uucp X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 106, message 4 of 7 I was introduced to the British Telecom debit card only recently, and I am surprised at the pollution that the system generates: depleted green cards littering the floors of call-boxes. 'Course, Telecom is not answerable to environmental interests. :-) Instead of purchasing new green cards all the time, why can't one go to one of a few secure coin-operated stations where one's depleted card can be recharged (or replaced if defective.) (Put them in post offices and the corner Boot's.) In order to use these machines you *must* return your old card. Viola: no litter. The Washington, DC, Metro has a system like this that recovers residual value from fare cards too depleted to buy any fare---but it recovers the cards in the process! Result is also reduction in litter. Incentive: Such machines might recharge to 100% of value for only 95% fee. Like deposits on beverage containers, except no human handling is required. I suspect that the 5% would be a good long-term investment.