London’s popular Oyster card could be replaced by a phone or bank card by 2010, according to Transport for London which oversees the program. A TfL spokesperson told the London Assembly that the agency is looking at several alternatives and providers when the contract for Transys, the consortium which runs the Oyster system, is terminated.

Earlier this year TfL Nokia and phone network O2, Visa and TranSys piloted a program, later deemed successful, to allow customers to pay for their journeys with their mobile phones. Barclaycard also has a deal with Transys to provide Oyster functionality as part of its OnePulse contactless debit card. That contract too will expire in 2010. Read more here.