Barclaycard on track to launch combined Oyster and Barclaycard

Barclaycard is on track to launch the nation’s first contactless credit card following the successful completion of technical trials.

Hundreds of cards combining Oyster, the smartcard used on the Transport for London(TfL) network, and normal payment and credit card functions, have been issued and tested over the last four months.

During the technical trials, the cards have been used at special terminals installed in shops, dining facilities, and on the TfL network.

The new cards are set to be available publicly from September. The cards, which include Visa payWave contactless technology, work in three ways:

Contactless payment technology for small transactions (under £10)
Oyster card for use on the Transport for London network
Standard Chip and PIN card facility for larger transactions (over £10)

The card is particularly suited for people buying things where fast and convenient transactions are a necessity - fast food outlets, coffee shops, newsagents, off licences, bars, pubs, parking facilities and vending machines. Barclaycard is now working with retailers to ensure terminals are ready for the autumn launch.

Libby Chambers, Chief Marketing Officer at Barclaycard said: “This innovative new card has the potential to dramatically speed up the way we pay for everyday goods, and it has all the security and flexibility of a full service credit card. Merchants are excited about the way it can help them serve busy Londoners by shortening waiting time at the till. This product is really consumer oriented and timely and we look forward to launching it with our partners at TfL and Transys.”

This trial follows the announcement in December 2006 of the deal between Barclaycard and TranSys, the consortium which runs Oyster card in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), to combine Oyster and Barclaycard on one piece of plastic.

John Stout, CEO of TranSys said: ‘Like the Oyster card itself, the key to the success of this initiative is its simplicity. Barclaycard came to us with an idea which could be dovetailed seamlessly with Oyster’s existing functionality to deliver added value for Barclaycard customers, without disrupting a service which has become part of London life for millions of people.’