GTFS, short for General Transit Feed Specification, is a widely used open data format for representing public transportation schedules and related geographic information. Developed by Google in partnership with several transit agencies, GTFS provides a standard structure and set of rules for publishing transit data in a consistent and machine-readable way. This format allows transit agencies to share their schedules, routes, stop locations, fares, and other relevant information with developers, transit enthusiasts, and technology platforms.
At its core, GTFS uses a collection of text files that are structured to represent the specific elements of a transit system. These files include data sets such as agency, calendar, routes, stops, trips, and fares. The information contained within these files enables applications and software systems to accurately display transit schedules, generate trip plans, calculate fares, and perform other transit-related operations.
Due to its standardized format, GTFS has become a de facto standard for sharing public transportation data globally. This universal adoption has fostered the development of various transit-related applications and services, including journey planners, real-time transit tracking, and route optimization tools. By providing access to GTFS data, transit agencies empower developers to build innovative solutions that can enhance the overall transit experience for both passengers and operators.
In summary, GTFS is an open data format that enables transit agencies to share their schedules and geographic information in a standardized way, unlocking the potential for various transit-related applications and services.
