Critics of card-only transactions say they exclude ‘underbanked’ individuals and limit access to essential services.
Writing in Smart Cities Dive, Paige Gross explains a “newly enforced” Washington, D.C. law that prohibits businesses from eliminating cash transactions. “Under the newly enforced law, it’s illegal for direct-to-consumer businesses — including bars, restaurants, general retailers and food stores — to refuse cash, charge a higher price to cash-paying customers or hang signs that say cash isn’t accepted.”
The law exempts online transactions and some parking garages. Other businesses must accept cash or provide a device on site where customers can convert cash to a prepaid card. Cashless payments, which some business owners consider safer than handling and transporting cash, became more popular in the wake of the pandemic, when social distancing called for touchless transactions.
Supporters of the ban say cashless transactions discriminate against ‘unbanked’ residents, who make up 8 percent of the D.C. population. Cashless businesses “make it exceptionally hard for marginalized groups to carry on with their everyday lives, said Harry Hayman, a senior fellow for the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia’s Food Economy and Policy.”
FULL STORY: Washington, DC’s ban on cashless businesses, explained
New York Councilmembers Seek Action Against Cashless ‘Fast-Delivery’ Stores
After the city instituted a ban on cashless businesses, calling the model discriminatory against poor New Yorkers who rely on cash transactions, a study found that more than 80 percent of new fast-delivery stores don’t accept cash.
Judge Blocks Anti-DEI Rules for Transportation, Housing Grants
A second injunction blocks the Trump administration from enforcing new regulations for federal funding.
DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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