A method of sharing a cash handler between a plurality of transit vending machines, the method comprising: sending, with a communications interface of the cash handler, a first status of the cash handler to the plurality of transit vending machines, wherein the first status is indicative of an availability of the cash handler to conduct a transaction; receiving, with the communication interface, a request from a first transit vending machine of the plurality of transit vending machines for the cash handler to give control of the cash handler to the first vending machine for collecting payment for a product sold at the first vending machine; sending, with the communication interface, a second status of the cash handler to at least a second transit vending machine of the plurality of transit vending machines, wherein the second status is indicative of an unavailability of the cash handler to conduct a transaction; while unavailable to the second transit vending machine, receiving, from the second transit vending machine, a request to be placed in a request queue; updating the request queue according to the received request from the second transit vending machine; receiving, at the cash handler, cash in the form of either or both coins or notes as payment for the product; sending with the communication interface, transaction information regarding the first transaction to the first transit vending machine; receiving, with the communications interface, a message from the first transit vending machine, wherein the message indicates that the first transit vending machine is finished with the first transaction; storing information regarding the first transaction; and relinquishing control of the cash handler to the second transit vending machine according to the received request from the second transit vending machine. sending, with a communications interface of the cash handler, a first status of the cash handler to the plurality of transit vending machines, wherein the first status is indicative of an availability of the cash handler to conduct a transaction; receiving, with the communication interface, a request from a first transit vending machine of the plurality of transit vending machines for the cash handler to give control of the cash handler to the first vending machine for collecting payment for a product sold at the first vending machine; sending, with the communication interface, a second status of the cash handler to at least a second transit vending machine of the plurality of transit vending machines, wherein the second status is indicative of an unavailability of the cash handler to conduct a transaction; while unavailable to the second transit vending machine, receiving, from the second transit vending machine, a request to be placed in a request queue; updating the request queue according to the received request from the second transit vending machine; receiving, at the cash handler, cash in the form of either or both coins or notes as payment for the product; sending with the communication interface, transaction information regarding the first transaction to the first transit vending machine; receiving, with the communications interface, a message from the first transit vending machine, wherein the message indicates that the first transit vending machine is finished with the first transaction; storing information regarding the first transaction; and relinquishing control of the cash handler to the second transit vending machine according to the received request from the second transit vending machine.