Abstract: The remote control units of a electronic centralized locker system are programmed with incremental rate parameters, such that the rental fee for each locker increases as the time period during which the locker is used increases. In order to implement the incremental rate structure, the total rental time is broken into a number of subperiods and a separate incremental fee is charged for each subperiod. In accordance with the invention, it is also possible to set the number of subperiods over which a fee will be charged, before a maximum fee is reached. Once the maximum fee is reached, the locker rental charge does not increase.