COMMUTERS will be able to swipe their debit or credit card for journeys in London from next year.

Transport for London today unveiled plans for the new technology, which will rolled out on the capital’s 8,0000 buses first and then to Tubes, the DLR and Overground networks.

Oyster will still be available but its use is expected to be significantly reduced as leading card issuers Visa, MasterCard and American Express have signed up for the new system.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “London leads the way in so many different fields and we will be the first in the world to allow the millions using our Tube, trams, buses and trains to benefit from the ease of using this technology.”

TfL said it will be saving cash on processing costs and issuing Oyster cards.

It also said paying for transport will be far easier as tourists coming to London for the 2012 Games will not have to queue for Oyster cards or tickets and those who forget their Oyster can use a bank card instead.

By the time the Olympics kicks off, the bus network will have been upgraded and Tube, DLR, Overground and Tram stations will follow.

The contactless cards will not require a PIN at station gates.

Some 12 million cards in the UK have already got the integrated technology.

TfL is in talks with other train operators to link in National Rail routes than run through London.