Reading Buses

Block trips with overlapping stop times (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

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

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

6667 of 6667 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)

1614 of 1614 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)

Some service calendars have no days of the week switched on.

Trips tied to these calendars never run; they are dead data that can mask real schedule problems.

Fix: Delete the empty calendars or set their service days. (A few minutes in your scheduling software.)

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

A file GTFS asks for (usually feed_info.txt) is missing.

feed_info.txt tells apps who publishes the feed and when it expires; without it nobody is warned before data goes stale.

Fix: Add feed_info.txt with publisher name, URL, language, and feed_start_date/feed_end_date. (One small file, set once in export settings.)

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

Service data runs out in 10 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 for scorecard_feed_expiring_soon · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices on an external site)

feed_info.txt is missing its start/end dates (the file itself is absent)

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)

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

App makers and state data programs have nobody to email when they spot a problem. Small errors then sit in the feed for months.

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

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