I have had a number of constituents mention the newly launched sQuid electronic purse. The e-purse can be used to pay for small value transactions like buying a cup of coffee, newspaper or packets of sweets.sQuid is an independent company and chose to launch this service in Dundee due to the City Council's role as the lead authority for the National Entitlement Card (NEC).
Although sQuid issue their own card it can easily be added to an existing NEC and from this month forward new NECs that are issued will contain the sQuid product. One of the aims of the NEC is to reduce the number of cards a citizen needs to carry to access a range of services.
In a trial funded by the NEC, existing card holders in Dundee will receive a letter advising them how to add sQuid to their existing card. Where new cards are issued to school pupils or Abertay University students they will be advised that their new card contains the sQuid product. For a trial period Dundee Council facilities and Dundee Leisure facilities where practical will also take payment using the sQuid card.
sQuid has been recruiting local retailers throughout the city to their network of outlets that take sQuid payments. For example, a number of retailers in Nethergate are already taking the sQuid card. You can see a full list of the participants by clicking on the headline above.
sQuid is not a credit card and card holders do not require a bank account to qualify for a sQuid purse on their smartcard.
Customers can load cash up to a maximum of £100 on their card online or at one of the participating retail outlets and then use the card in place of cash.
Following a trial period of a year, City Councillors will receive a report on the implications for Dundee City Council continuing with the sQuid product and on the general success or otherwise of the electronic purse in relation to customer benefits, retailer service improvements and encouraging development of electronic services in the city.