Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

Oyster cards to spread to London's suburban lines

Friday, January 9, 2009

London’s popular Oyster card is expected to expand to include above ground services in the coming months with the announcement of an agreement between London’s mayor and the Association of Train Operating Companies.

The extension to London’s suburban stations follows negotiations with the 10 train operating companies. That means railway passengers in London will be able to use the Oyster cards on suburban trains later this year. This is seen as the first stage in a national program that will see similar technology spread across the country.

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After nearly ten years and over €55 million, Dublin’s “Leap” transit card has finally hit the market, reports Herald.ie.

The contactless smart card is now available for use on Dublin Buss, Luas, Dart and commuter rail lines around the capital. Rather than having to buy separate tickets or pay with cash, Dublin commuters now can just tap their Leap card against a reader aboard the transport of their choosing.

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UK train operator, First Capital Connect’s proposal to extend the Oyster Travelcard and Pay As You Go schemes to St. Albans has been shot down by the government’s Department for Transport.

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West Midlands is getting set to introduce an Oyster-style bus ticketing system that would enable passengers to easily transfer between services run by different bus operators.

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Superdrug, one of Britain’s largest beauty and health retailers, has introduced contactless payment for its in-store customers, according to Retail Gazette.

Created by Streamline and Visa Europe, the contactless system will enable customers to make payments of up to £15 (approx. USD $23) by simply waving their contactless bank card at the more than 50 participating Superdrug stores in London and Liverpool.

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Proxama has announced a partnership with semiconductor supplier ARM Holdings to create secure payment mechanisms for mobile handsets.

The UK-based partners say they will combine ARM’s TrustZone technology with Proxama’s Mobile Wallet to develop a “highly secure” environment for NFC-enabled mobile contactless payments and mobile internet payments.

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The O2 Arena in London has teamed up with Barclaycard and Visa Europe to introduce contactless technology in more than 250 card payment terminals across the venue.

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