General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is a standard format for public transit data that enables developers to create mobile apps, websites, and other tools that help people plan and use public transportation. GTFS data includes information about routes, stops, schedules, and fares for transit agencies around the world. It is used by a variety of popular transit apps such as Google Maps, Citymapper, and Transit. GTFS was developed by Google in 2005 and is now maintained by a community of developers and transit agencies.
What Does GTFS Mean?
GTFS stands for General Transit Feed Specification. It is a common format for representing public transit data, developed by Google in 2006 and now maintained by a community of contributors.
Purpose of GTFS
GTFS allows transit agencies to publish their schedules and other relevant information in a structured and machine-readable format. This data can then be used by a variety of applications, such as:
- Trip planners (e.g., Google Maps, Apple Maps)
- Real-time transit apps (e.g., Transit, Citymapper)
- Public transit websites
Structure of a GTFS Feed
A GTFS feed is typically made up of multiple CSV files, each containing a different type of data. The core files include:
- stops.txt: Contains information about each transit stop, including its location, name, and code.
- routes.txt: Provides details about each transit route, including its name, type, and stops.
- trips.txt: Lists the individual trips made on each route, including their schedule, stop sequence, and fare data.
Benefits of Using GTFS
- Standardized data format: GTFS allows transit agencies to publish their data in a consistent and structured format, making it easier for trip planners and other applications to access and use.
- Improved accessibility: By making transit data more readily available, GTFS helps to improve the accessibility of public transit for riders.
- Increased ridership: By making it easier for riders to plan and track their trips, GTFS can help to increase ridership and support sustainable transportation.
How to Get Started with GTFS
Transit agencies can create and publish their own GTFS feeds using a variety of tools and resources. For more information, visit the official GTFS website at https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs.
Question 1: What is the full form of GTFS?
Answer: GTFS stands for General Transit Feed Specification.
Question 2: What is the purpose of GTFS?
Answer: GTFS is a standardized format for public transportation data, which includes information about routes, stops, schedules, and fares.
Question 3: Who uses GTFS data?
Answer: GTFS data is used by a wide range of stakeholders, including transit agencies, app developers, and researchers.
Thanks for sticking with me as we dove into the wild and wacky world of GTFS! I hope you now have a clear understanding of what it is and why it’s such a big deal in the transit world. If you’re still craving more knowledge or need a refresher in the future, don’t be a stranger – come visit me again! I’ll be here, waiting with open arms (or at least open text editor) to satisfy your transit data cravings.