Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)

1987 of 1987 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible.

Even with accessible stops, riders need to know the bus itself can take them.

Fix: Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip. If every vehicle is accessible, this may be one default; otherwise use the value for each trip. (A default or per-trip field in your export.)

Finding code: scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

853 of 1108 stops don't say whether a wheelchair user can board there.

Riders who use wheelchairs can't plan a trip when accessibility is marked 'unknown'; apps show no information at all.

Fix: Set wheelchair_boarding to 1 (accessible) or 2 (not accessible) for every stop. A field survey can start with the busiest stops. (A column in stops.txt; your scheduling software likely has it.)

Finding code: scorecard_wheelchair_boarding_unknown · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

Some stops exist in the feed but no trip ever stops at them.

Riders may walk to a stop where no bus is scheduled to arrive.

Fix: Remove retired stops from the export, or add them back to the trips that should serve them. (A review pass in your scheduling software.)

Finding code: stop_without_stop_time · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

This feed's service calendar runs out within the next 30 days.

If a new feed isn't published before it ends, trip planners will drop your agency and riders will see no service.

Fix: Schedule a feed re-export now so the new calendar is live well before the current one ends. (Usually a re-export from your scheduling software.)

Finding code: feed_expiration_date30_days · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Some rider-facing names are in ALL CAPS or all lowercase.

ALL-CAPS stop and headsign names are harder to read in apps and are read awkwardly by screen readers.

Fix: Use mixed case for stop names and headsigns (e.g. 'Main St & 2nd Ave', not 'MAIN ST & 2ND AVE'). (Often a bulk fix in your scheduling software.)

Finding code: mixed_case_recommended_field · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Some route colors don't contrast with their text color.

Route badges get hard to read, most of all for riders with low vision.

Fix: Pick a darker/lighter route_text_color for the flagged routes. (One field per route.)

Finding code: route_color_contrast · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Service data runs out in 14 day(s).

When the calendar runs out, trip planners stop showing this agency. Fixing it now is calmer than after riders notice.

Fix: Re-export with a validity window that reaches at least 60 days out. (One export setting.)

Finding code: scorecard_feed_expiring_soon · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices on an external site)

This feed describes flexible (demand-responsive) service but has no booking_rules.txt.

Riders can see the service area but not how or when to reserve a trip, so they can't actually use the service.

Fix: Add booking_rules.txt saying how far ahead and how to book (phone, app, or web). (A small file; one rule often covers the whole service.)

Finding code: scorecard_flex_no_booking_rules · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

Some files contain columns that are not part of the GTFS spec.

Harmless to riders, but apps ignore these columns and they can hide typos in real column names.

Fix: Check the flagged column names for misspellings of standard GTFS fields; remove them if they are vendor extras. (A quick look at the flagged files.)

Finding code: unknown_column · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

The feed includes a file that is not part of the GTFS spec.

Apps ignore files they don't know, and a stray file can hide a misspelled standard file name.

Fix: Check the flagged file name for a typo of a standard GTFS file. Remove it if it is a vendor extra. (A quick look at the flagged file.)

Finding code: unknown_file · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Some service dates fall outside the date window set in feed_info.txt.

feed_info.txt should span every day your service runs, so apps know when the data applies.

Fix: Widen feed_start_date and feed_end_date to cover all service dates, or fix the dates that fall outside. (Two fields in feed_info.txt, or one export setting.)

Finding code: service_window_outside_feed_period · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)