http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/press-cent...t.asp?prID=982

http://www.newsroom.barclays.co.uk/c...2&NewsAreaID=2


Barclaycard credit cards will incorporate two contactless (RFID)
payment functions - Oyster along with Visa's new 'Wave and Pay' system
for payments up to £10 (a quick transaction without need for a PIN
intended as an alternative to cash).

From the TfL press release:
"Following a trial in February 2007, it is expected the first
Barclaycards to include Oyster will be available from mid-2007.

The deal gives exclusive rights for Oyster to be placed on Barclaycard
Visa and Barclays Visa Connect cards for the next three years."

Barclays Visa Connect being the name for the bank's debit card issued
to current account customers.

What isn't made clear is whether said credit and debit cards will only
be issued to people in Greater London. Nonetheless I'm sure many people
will find this convenient. I foresee it being a success (as long as
there are no technical problems) and once Barclays loses exclusivity I
assume that many other banks will get in on the act.

It does however look like upcoming systems such as Visa's 'Wave and
Pay' has totally buried the on-ice plan that solo Oyster cards would be
used for small convenience purchases.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here is that some London
Boroughs already issue combination smartcards with an integrated Oyster
function [1] [2] [3] [4]. I'm not sure how far this has actually been
implemented on the ground (and Greenwich for one hasn't yet started
utilising the leisure card function).

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[1] Your Borough issued smartcard and Oyster card -
Croydon/Greenwich/Lewisham (PDF)
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/communityp...lic/211782.pdf

[2] Lewisham Smartcard info
http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAn.../Smartcard.htm

[3] Croydon Smartcard info
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/communityp...ues/smartcards

[4] Greenwich Smartcard info
http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwic...yourSmartcard/