APRIL 9, 2008

Three years after she first introduced Self-Service Stations as an innovative, timesaving option for branch office customers, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today said the program has reached the milestones of 200,000 transactions and $20 million in revenue.

The ATM-style machines allow residents to print off their license plate tabs by simply scanning a bar code on their renewal notice and then swiping a debit card, Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card to pay their registration fees. The do-it-yourself transactions, which free up office staff to assist other customers, are often completed within two minutes.

"Self-Service Stations provide greater convenience to customers and increase the efficiency of our branch offices," Land said. "This is the kind of smart, useful technology that taxpayers appreciate in their government."

From April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2008, there were 201,339 tab renewal transactions on Self-Service Stations generating $20.3 million in revenue. The 10,735 transactions recorded in March represent the highest one-month total in the three years of the program. Over the last 12 months, there were nearly 96,000 transactions. That is up 26 percent from the 76,000 transactions during the program's second year and up 224 percent from the 29,000 transactions recorded during the first year.

There are 38 Self-Service Stations statewide, 19 of which may be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are located at 29 PLUS Offices, six SUPER!Centers and three municipal buildings. Land created PLUS office and SUPER!Centers as part of her ongoing plan to modernize branch offices. The facilities provide enhanced services at no extra cost to taxpayers.

Customers still can renew their tabs online, by phone, by mail, or from a branch office customer service representative. Visit the department's Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or call 1-888-SOS-MICH for more information about offices and services.

Related Link
> Self-Service Stations Locations (PDF file)