Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA)

3026 of 3026 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 for scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference 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 for mixed_case_recommended_field · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

807 of 807 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 for scorecard_wheelchair_boarding_unknown · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

On some trips the stop distances run a little past the end of the route line.

The stop and shape distance values don't quite line up, so any math that uses them can drift.

Fix: Re-generate shape_dist_traveled on export so stop and shape distances use the same units. (Usually an export-tool fix, not hand editing.)

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

Some route long names repeat the route's short name inside them.

Apps show both names together, so riders see the number twice, like '5 5 Downtown'.

Fix: Drop the short name from route_long_name and keep the long name descriptive, like 'Downtown via 5th Ave'. (One field per flagged route.)

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

Some values have extra spaces at the start or end.

A stray space can break a match, so a stop or route may fail to link across files.

Fix: Trim leading and trailing spaces on export. The scorecard's auto-fixed copy already does this. (Usually one export setting.)

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

feed_info.txt does not state when this feed starts and ends.

Without stated dates, apps can't warn anyone before your data goes stale; it just disappears one day.

Fix: Fill in feed_start_date and feed_end_date in feed_info.txt. (Two fields, likely set once in your export settings.)

Finding code: missing_feed_info_date · 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 for missing_recommended_field · 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 for route_color_contrast · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Route short name too long (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

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

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

Same name and description for route (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

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

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

feed_info.txt is missing its start/end dates

Apps and this scorecard can't warn anyone before the feed goes stale without stated validity dates.

Fix: Add feed_info.txt with feed_start_date and feed_end_date to your export. (Two fields, set once in export settings.)

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

Service extends far in the future (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

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

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

The feed has a stretch of two weeks or more with no service running.

A long gap can mean dates were left out of the calendar. Apps then show no trips on those days.

Fix: Check whether the gap is real, like a seasonal break; if not, add the missing dates to the calendar. (A review of your calendar dates.)

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