Press Release
June 03, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian Vattimo
518/486-1868
PARKS COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES DEAL TO ALLOW CREDIT CARDS TO BE USED AT STATE PARKS
(Albany, New York June 3, 1998 ...) New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro today announced an agreement with Buffalo-based Manufacturers & Traders Bank (M&T Bank) that will provide park patrons with the ability to use credit cards for payment of services at all 152 state parks.
"We allowed the use of credit cards on a trial basis last season and the success of that program has prompted us to provide this service at all of our facilities", said Commissioner Castro, noting the service should begin in June. "Credit cards are not only a convenience to the public, but they will be of great benefit at parks like Niagara Reservation, Watkins Glen, Saratoga Spa and Bethpage."
Credit card payments will be accepted for such activities as the purchase of the Empire Passport, camping fees and cabin rentals, golf greens fees and permits for other special activities. Master Card, Visa, American Express, Discover Cards and bank debit cards will be accepted for payment. At most facilities the service will be accessible at park rental offices.
Commissioner Castro said the state has signed a three-year contract with M&T Bank for merchant services.
"M&T Bank is growing its business right here in New York State", Commissioner Castro added. "We're really looking forward to our business partnership with them."
M&T Bank officials are equally pleased with the partnership.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate with New York State Parks to facilitate the use of credit cards at all its facilities," said James L. Hoffman, executive vice president of M&T Bank and president of M&T's Hudson Valley Division.
"Under the leadership of Commissioner Castro, great strides have been made to once again make New York's state park system accessible to their `owners' -- all of us who live here," he added. "This user-friendly collaboration between the state and M&T is one more effort to allow more visitors to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of our state parks system."
Commissioner Castro said State Parks initiated credit card services for payment of park user fees at 27 parks in 1997.
"The success and popularity of this pilot project led to the issuance of a statewide Request for Proposal (RFP) for credit card services," she said.
More than 25 banks and other financial institutions were solicited and eight responses were received and reviewed by agency staff. Following both written and oral presentation, M&T Bank was selected as the recommended vendor.