Lukoil and Visa International have completed the pilot stage of installing Visa card GPRS terminals at the oil company's filling stations, meaning Lukoil gas stations in Russia can begin accepting this form of payment.
At present, GPRS terminals are in operation at 37 Lukoil filling stations in St Petersburg and Moscow. In two year’s time, Lukoil plans to install the systems at over 500 gas stations in Moscow, the Moscow region, St Petersburg, the Leningrad region, the Krasnodar territory and other cities with a population of above one million, as well as on federal highways.
GPRS technology makes the processing of Visa payments faster, more convenient and more efficient. It accounts for 98% connection reliability, and wireless terminals mean that previous problems with wireline unavailability are no longer an issue.
At present, Visa card holders using their cards as payment for fuel, lubricants and related products at Lukoil filling stations get a 2% discount. In the long-run, the company plans to give bonus points to its clients, which will become the basis of a large-scale loyalty program.