Harford Transit LINK

New line in value (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'new_line_in_value' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

Finding code: new_line_in_value · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Service data ended 1309 day(s) ago.

When the calendar runs out, trip planners stop showing this agency even though the buses are still running. Riders are told the service does not exist.

Fix: Re-export the feed with a calendar that reaches further out, and set feed_info feed_end_date past your next service change. (Usually one export setting; export on a schedule so it never lapses again.)

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

188 of 188 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)

116 of 116 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)

Some internal IDs use characters outside the basic text set.

These IDs are valid UTF-8 data. This warning is only about support in older apps. It does not mean that names in other languages are wrong.

Fix: Only change the flagged IDs if an app needs basic ASCII values. Update each place that uses the ID. Keep all names and headsigns in their original language. (A planned ID change, not a quick text cleanup.)

Finding code: non_ascii_or_non_printable_char · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Some files leave out fields that GTFS asks for but does not require.

Recommended fields like agency_phone or stop descriptions make the feed more useful to riders and trip planners.

Fix: Review the flagged fields and fill in the ones your riders would use. (A field at a time; not urgent.)

Finding code: missing_recommended_field · 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)

2 of 116 trips lack rider-facing destination or direction text.

When a route has multiple directions or patterns, the route name alone may not tell riders which service is coming.

Fix: Add the destination, direction, or 'via' label riders actually see to trip_headsign. Do not copy the route name. If the label changes during the trip, use stop_headsign. (Usually one value per route pattern in your scheduling source.)

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

Some service calendars in the feed have already ended.

Expired calendars are dead weight and can hide real schedule problems from your staff and vendors.

Fix: Remove past service periods the next time you export the feed. (One setting in most export tools.)

Finding code: expired_calendar · 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 7 days.

When the calendar ends, Google Maps and other trip planners drop your agency entirely. Riders see no service at all.

Fix: Export and publish an updated GTFS feed that covers at least the next 30 days of service. (Usually a re-export from your scheduling software.)

Finding code: feed_expiration_date7_days · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

feed_info.txt lists no contact email and no contact URL.

Without a contact, apps like Google Maps can't reach you when they find a problem in the feed.

Fix: Add feed_contact_email or feed_contact_url to feed_info.txt. (One field, set once in export settings.)

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

Many of the feed's trips don't run at all in the next 7 days.

It usually means old service periods are still in the export, making the feed bigger and harder to check.

Fix: Trim past service periods the next time you export. (One setting in most export tools.)

Finding code: trip_coverage_not_active_for_next7_days · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

The feed contains no fare information.

Riders see 'fare unknown' in trip planners and can't budget their trip; visitors are most affected.

Fix: Add fare_attributes.txt (or Fares v2 files) with your fare structure. If your service is fare-free, ask to have it marked fare-free instead. (A small file for most flat-fare systems.)

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

Feed valid beyond total service window (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'feed_valid_beyond_total_service_window' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

Finding code: feed_valid_beyond_total_service_window · 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)

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)

feed_info.txt has no technical contact (feed_contact_email or feed_contact_url).

Trip-planning apps and regional data coordinators have nobody to email when they spot a problem with your feed, so problems linger.

Fix: Add feed_contact_email to feed_info.txt. (One field.)

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