The
Oyster card could be replaced by mobile phone and bankcard
ticketing systems, Transport for London told the London Assembly
yesterday.
The Oyster system is the ticketing system for public transport
in London. It uses smartcards, which are topped up with cash and
communicate with card readers using RFID technology.
The company announced in August it is
terminating its contract with supplier consortium Transys,
which has provided Oyster ticketing until now. The company says it
hopes to save millions of pounds by moving to a "more conventional"
contract.
Will Judge, head of future ticketing at TfL, said tickets could
be delivered via smartcards, like the current system, or on a phone
or bankcard. He added that TfL would not develop the new system
in-house, but use outside suppliers. The Oyster name may be
replaced, he added.
TfL is also looking at whether Oyster can be integrated into
other parts of London's transport system. Oyster cards will be
usable on riverboat services next year.
Mr Judge was speaking at the Assembly's budget and performance
committee.