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.

I'm not quite so convinced.

There have been may attempts to introduce pay cards
and (for whatever reason) the man on the Clapham
Omnibus has decined to use them.

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.

I thought that this had been abandoned due to the
high per transaction cost that the system required
to be profitable.

I also note:
"will allow customers to pay for low cost items such
as coffee and newspapers quickly and securely".

I for one cannot see what is secure about this
method of payment.

tim