With the advent of high-speed Internet and online bill pay, more people are choosing to leave behind long lines and pay their utility bills in other ways.

Alagasco, on Ala. Hwy. 14 West, is closing its Selma payment center for the convenience of customers, the company announced. Payment centers in Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Gadsden and Opelika are also closing due to a low volume of walk-in payments.

Susan Delenne, public relations representative for Alagasco, said the public is no longer using walk-in payment services and the move is to improve customer service in general.

“We’re just trying to be more responsive to customers,” Delenne said. “We’ve seen a major change in how people are paying their bills, using telephone and stamped letters, etc. The walk-in payment services will run until the middle of the year.”

Delenne also said the company will still have other services available. Customers will instead be able to pay their gas bills with “third-party agents,” or companies affiliated with Alagasco.

“Customers can go to Holley True Value Store, Selma Water Works Company, Calhoun Foods and Winn Dixie on west Dallas Ave., to pay their bill,” Delenne said. “These payment agents offer a convenience that our regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. office cannot.”

Delenne believes customers will see the change as a positive one and be responsive to it.

“I think customers will understand the change and look for other options that fit,” she said.

Delenne said customers can visit www.payagent.alagasco.com and type in their zip codes to locate a payment agent center nearest them.