Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA)

What this grade measures

The quality of the schedule data this agency publishes for trip-planning apps: whether riders using Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Transit see current, correct, and complete information. It measures the data feed, not service quality or operations.

Progress this period

No newly cleared items this period. The score and trend above reflect where the feed stands today.

What needs attention next

Three improvements, in priority order, each sized so the board can see what it is approving:

1. Re-export the feed with a calendar that reaches further out, and set feed_info feed_end_date past your next service change.

   Service data ended 9 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.

   Estimated effort: Usually one export setting; export on a schedule so it never lapses again.

   Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 18 observed fixes).

2. Set wheelchair_boarding to 1 (accessible) or 2 (not accessible) for every stop. A field survey can start with the busiest stops.

   768 of 771 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.

   Estimated effort: A column in stops.txt; your scheduling software likely has it.

3. Remove retired stops from the export, or add them back to the trips that should serve them.

   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.

   Estimated effort: A review pass in your scheduling software.

   Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 11 observed fixes).

Trillium produces and hosts this feed as a service. These changes are made on their side: send the fix list to your Trillium contact and they apply it and republish.

Where this agency stands

Ahead of 45% of all tracked agencies, and ahead of 42% of mid-size agencies nationwide.