Meant as an alternative to air transport, the (at its start) first-class-only trains were operated from 1 August 1999 until 11 December 2004 by the Metropolitan Express Train GmbH (MET GmbH) based in Bad Homburg, a wholly owned subsidiary of the DB Fernverkehr wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG.

[2] The beginning of operations was preceded by investigations into ten routes where the train could compete with plane travel.

Starting on 1 July 1999, test runs were conducted using the first of the two trainsets to collect operating experience.

[10] Metropolitan trains continued to run until the next regular timetable change on 11 December 2004.

[10] The two trainsets were initially intended to be parked, though DB Fernverkehr decided to reuse the trains in long-distance traffic.

They were externally modified to prepare them for service, being repainted in the standard DB colors and fitted with features such as route sign holders.

[2] The operating company, Metropolitan Express Train GmbH, was established in December 1996 as a subsidiary of DB Fernverkehr (then named DB Reise&Touristik), itself a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG.

After the service was discontinued in December 2004, MET GmbH was dissolved and reacquired by DB Fernverkehr.

[1] Metropolitan Express Train GmbH ordered two specially-made trainsets of seven cars each from the manufacturer FTD Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau [de] in November 1997.

Depending on the number of seats and interior layout, the cars weighted between 59 and 63 tonnes when fully loaded.

The Metropolitan was the only Deutsche Bahn service that was not divided into separate travel classes.

Instead, three categories of first-class service were provided:[22] Starting on 1 September 2001, MET GmbH introduced a fourth travel category named Traveller in an attempt to increase train utilization, along with offering discounted prices for return tickets.

[23] The original seats were removed and sold on eBay by Deutsche Bahn AG.