Lobster card

The combined Oyster card, Barclaycard and "errr, lunchtime snack, booze, book & paper" card, acc. to the London Underground blog, launched last week.

The Onepulse card combines an Oyster card which we use on London Transport, with a credit card and a cashless way of paying for items under ten quid. Books Etc, Chop'd, Coffee Republic, EAT, Krispy Kreme, Threshers and YO! Sushi, you'll be able to swipe the one card at the aforementioned shops to pay for your food and drinks.

A cab driver told me Ken was thinking of asking cabs to have swipe pads installed so that people could also pay for cab rides with their Lobster. Sean Gardner, chief executive of a price comparison service site, said it was another step towards a cashless society. He enthusiastically called it  "a genuine advance in the credit card industry and looks set to cause a real stir in London. Experts have been predicting the end of cash for years and this looks set to be another step in that direction."

Some of this seems like a great idea. But not all of it.  I dont like being card dependent, cash is sometimes faster and easier for transport and Im not at all keen on having money 'banked' in this system.