The system has significantly sped up boardings on area buses while alleviating wear and tear on existing ticket machines and fare boxes.

The old magnetic strip reading machines were weather sensitive and could not be placed out in the elements like at the Hiawatha Line light rail stations.

The Go-To card was originally meant to go into service in September 2003 and become the first such system in the United States, but technical difficulties delayed introduction.

Before this system was sent into full release, some Metro Transit employees and selected area riders were part of a test program, started in the latter half of 2004, using the cards as they go about their daily business.

Software for the central computer system, which handles synchronization and how funds are replenished, was not fully operational[4] until late April 2005.

The Metropass is a transit pass for trains and buses sold at a discounted rate to employees purchased by local companies.

Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, the U-Pass was eliminated in favor of a $45 increase in the mandatory transportation fee but the universal availability of unlimited transit rides for all students.