In a GoVia press release on the new SN franchise there is a small section
(that I've edited) about ticketing:

http://www.govia.info/press/goviaSCpn.doc

"Fares and ticketing
Introduction of an ITSO-certified Smartcard ticketing system across the
network by January 2012
Introduction of Oyster Pay As You Go
Multi-modal Pay As You Go ITSO Smartcard for Crawley/Gatwick and Brighton,
working in partnership with Metrobus and Brighton and Hove Buses
respectively"

It is the last bit that is significant. We have previously discussed how
PAYG might operate in an ITSO scheme, and a number of posts have proposed
that a national PAYG scheme like Oyster is impossible due to the high
maximum fares that would need to be covered by the preloaded amount, which I
agree with.

SN seem therefore to be suggesting localised areas for Crawley/Gatwick and
Brighton. I expect there will be criticism from pax who'll think they'll
need more than one smartcard, but in principle, could the same physical card
contain for example Brighton area ITSO PAYG, a Brighton to London ITSO
Season, and Oyster PAYG? Might there be a common cash balance, or two
separate ones?

Paul S