In message , at 21:17:30 on
Sun, 3 Mar 2013, Jarle H Knudsen remarked:

Now how such a check can be done a tube or train when CBC acceptance
is extended - that is a definite challenge!

Is a new handheld device capable of reading such cards not possible?

Reading the cards isn't a problem. What the gripper needs to know is
whether it was used "recently" to enter the system. Paywave cards don't
store transaction history on them, so you'd need to be in contact with
the bank's back-office systems.
--
Roland Perry