Public Service Commission Forces Innovative To Reinstate Payments At Business Offices

ST. CROIX — Innovative announced on Thursday that it would soon accept payments on a limited basis following a Public Service Commission ruling on Tuesday that requires Innovative to continue offering the option. Innovative had discontinued operation of the payment windows and instead made available multiple other ways that residents could pay for the company company’s services.

Innovative said it’s planning to deploy cash kiosks at each of its business offices to accept payments. According to the release, the forecasted implementation of the kiosk is four to six months. In the interim, the firm will temporarily resume accepting cash payments on a limited basis at one payment window in each office to accommodate customers who pay in cash. Hours of operation for the cash window will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm during this period.

The option to pay in cash at the business officers will be implemented within the next 30 days. Innovative said it will make an official announcement on the effective date within the coming weeks.

The move comes after much lobbying by Senator Jean Forde, who drafted a measure last year that sought to force innovative’s hands to reinstate the operation of its payment windows. Mr. Forde had contended that the move to shutter the payment windows affected the territory’s senior citizens, who he said would be in most need of the option.

“As I have said from the outset, I recognize that technology is moving forward at a tremendous pace, but we must take care to ensure that our seniors, and those who do not have access to the latest technology, are not left behind,” Mr. Forde said in a press release issued on Wednesday. “For our elders, the ability to manage their own affairs is extremely important, and over 5,000 people in our community depend on being able to make their payments in person. I commend the Public Service Commission for also recognizing this reality, and as a representative of all Virgin Islanders, I am proud to play a part in making sure that the needs and interests of all our people are being considered.”

The Innovative business offices are located at Estate Diamond on St. Croix, Tutu Park Mall in St. Thomas and The Market Place in St. John. The company currently offers the following methods of payment:

• Pay-by-Phone – Call 340-774-2PAY (2729) 24 hours a day from anywhere at any time.
• Pay Online – Use your computer, tablet or cell phone to set up an account and pay your bills on line 24 hours a day at www.innovative.vi.
• Pay at a Bank- Pay at any Banco Popular, FirstBank, Scotia Bank or Bank of St. Croix branches in the territory.
• Pay by Mail – Mail the payment to the address indicated on the statement stub.
• Pay by Drop Box – Drop your check or money order in the night deposit box along the outside wall of our Business Offices.
• Auto Pay – Set up to have your monthly bills automatically charged to your credit card.