Aizkraukle Residents Angry as Bill Downloads on “Bill.me” Platform Become Paid
Since 1 October, downloading a bill on the “Bill.me” platform has required a paid plan costing 1.49 euros a month. Utility providers in Aizkraukle are now emailing bills to customers and considering a platform of their own.
The “Bill.me” platform, where residents receive and pay utility bills, changed its terms of use on 1 October: downloading a bill is now part of a paid “Premium” plan costing 1.49 euros a month. The change has caused dissatisfaction in Aizkraukle, where several utility providers work with the platform. The companies are finding ways for customers to receive bills without extra charges.
What the new plan means
The economy plan, available to all customers automatically, only allows users to view a bill and its data and to submit meter readings. To download a bill, pay it on the platform, add tenants and use other features, users must choose the Premium plan.
Inga, a resident of Aizkraukle, described the situation as daylight robbery. She says “Aizkraukles ūdens” charges 1.15 euros for preparing and servicing a bill, while downloading it on the platform costs another 1.49 euros, and paying through the site carries a further fee.
Response from companies
On 13 October, SIA “LK Komunālie pakalpojumi” told customers on Facebook that the platform had changed its terms unilaterally, without informing the company or its partners. Talks on future cooperation are under way. Board chair Santa Zālīte said the company emailed bills to customers and will continue to do so. A new system is also being considered in which residents could submit readings and receive bills free of charge.
Other companies in Aizkraukle municipality acted the same way. Anita Krūmiņa, a board member at SIA “Aizkraukles ūdens”, sees no major problem, since the accounting system can send bills by email. In her view, a separate platform would cost several thousand euros, which residents would ultimately cover.
SIA “Aizkraukles siltums” will email bills from next month. Board member Edgars Bricis said the company has received many calls from dissatisfied residents. According to him, 20% of customers still want paper bills, which cost more than the “Bill.me” paid plan. Some customers who previously used automatic payment on the platform have abandoned it and now pay through their banks.
“Bill.me” works with “Aizkraukles ūdens”, “Aizkraukles siltums”, “Lauma A”, “LK Komunālie pakalpojumi” and waste management companies.
