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Go-To Cards are now more convenient

Customers can order, recharge and register cards online

New features added recently to the Go-To Card system make paying transit fares easier than ever for customers on Metro Transit buses, Hiawatha Line trains and suburban transit systems.

The Go-To Card is a durable plastic card that tracks cash value and 31-day passes on a microchip. That means instead of using cash or inserting a magnetic fare card into a fare box, customers with a Go-To Card simply touch their cards to a reader and their fares are recorded instantly.

Benefits include:

• Faster boarding
• Rechargeable convenience
• Security in case of card loss

Transactions can be done online

Customers can store up to two 31-day passes on their Go-To Cards plus up to $200 in stored value. In October, Metro Transit implemented a feature that allows customers to add stored value, order a new card and register a card over the internet. In addition, customers can now use stored value to pay for up to eight companion fares at once.

Go-To Card technology was first used in October 2005 by customers who carry Metropass, the employer-subsidized transit pass. Metro Transit continued an incremental roll-out of the system over the past two years, first with stored-value functionality and then with 31-day passes. The agency has now launched a marketing campaign to alert customers about this convenient way to pay transit fares.

“Metro Transit and our regional transit partners have worked hard to deliver this new fare collection system and revolutionize customers’ rides with speed and convenience,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.

Demand for Go-To Cards is strong

The number of customers using the Go-To Card throughout the Twin Cities has grown fast this year. On April 1, more than 2,370 Go-To Cards were in circulation. By Sept. 1, around 13,410 customers were using Go-To Cards as stored value or 31-day passes.

That total does not include specially programmed fare products — like Metropass — that use Go-To Card technology. Go-To College Passes — available to students at participating colleges and trade schools — have employed Go-To Card technology since that program debuted in August 2006. Beginning this fall semester, all U-Passes — available to University of Minnesota students – are using the technology as well.

A tool for hassle-free travel

The Go-To Card provides a variety of handy features:

• Faster boarding. Instead of inserting a card into the farebox, customers can touch their Go-To Card to the reader, and fares are deducted instantly.
• Rechargeable convenience. Customers can store up to $200 in stored value. When a card’s value gets low, value can be added at metrotransit.org or at Metro Transit stores, any rail ticket machine or select retail outlets.
• Security. If a card is lost or stolen, customers are protected as long as their cards are registered. Once reported lost, a new card is reissued with all the remaining value minus a $5 service charge.
• Regional acceptance. The Go-To Card is accepted for regular-route service on all Metro Transit buses, Hiawatha Line trains and suburban transit systems.

Metro Transit is offering Go-To Cards free for a limited time. Cards can be ordered at metrotransit.org or picked up at Metro Transit stores and select retail outlets.