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Feed status · checked 2026-07-10
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Based on the feed this agency publishes
First scorecard for this agency
Ahead of 42% of all tracked agencies and 53% of large agencies.
A data-quality and completeness lens to help an agency improve its GTFS feed. Not an official compliance determination from any transit program. New to this? How to read your scorecard. Interactive view of this scorecard. Rubric v1.1, validator 8.0.1.
Top things to fix
Re-export with a validity window that reaches at least 60 days out.Likely your export tool
Service data runs out in 1 day(s). When the calendar runs out, trip planners stop showing this agency. Fixing it now is calmer than after riders notice.
⏱ One export setting.worth about +79 points
Review the rule documentation for 'pathway_unreachable_location' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed.
Pathway unreachable location (flagged by the MobilityData validator). See the linked rule for what this affects.
⏱ Varies.worth about +18 points
Review the rule documentation for 'trip_distance_exceeds_shape_distance_below_threshold' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed.
Trip distance exceeds shape distance below threshold (flagged by the MobilityData validator). See the linked rule for what this affects.
⏱ Varies.worth about +8 points
Close the loop on each fix. Read the guide, make the change in your tool, and let the next run verify it — the scorecard shows the fix; the agency publishes it.
Re-export with a validity window that reaches at least 60 days out. · Read the fix guide
Make the change. Make this change in whatever tool produces your feed, then re-export.
Prove it cleared. The next scorecard run re-checks this automatically and, once it is gone, mints a dated receipt. Self-check a feed before you publish.
Review the rule documentation for 'pathway_unreachable_location' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed.
Make the change. Make this change in whatever tool produces your feed, then re-export.
Prove it cleared. The next scorecard run re-checks this automatically and, once it is gone, mints a dated receipt. Self-check a feed before you publish.
Review the rule documentation for 'trip_distance_exceeds_shape_distance_below_threshold' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. · Read the fix guide
Make the change. Make this change in whatever tool produces your feed, then re-export.
Prove it cleared. The next scorecard run re-checks this automatically and, once it is gone, mints a dated receipt. Self-check a feed before you publish.
Send your vendor a fix request
You may not control the GTFS export yourself. Copy this and send it to whoever runs your scheduling software export. It names each fix with the validator notice and a guide link.
Send the agency a note
Supporting this agency? Copy this and email it to them. It names what lapsed, why it matters to riders, and the one setting to change.
Score by category
The MobilityData validator flagged 13 kinds of issue across 650 instances (6 error, 570 warning, 74 informational).
Service data runs out in 1 day(s). Publish an updated feed soon or riders will lose trip planning.
100% of stops state wheelchair accessibility (97% marked accessible, 3% marked not accessible). This measures what the feed publishes, not whether a stop is physically usable. Fare data is published.
100% of stops state accessibility (97% marked accessible). Reflects what the feed states, not verified physical usability.
Fares are applied to trips.
Sampled 9 times: 3 of 3 feeds healthy; 83.4% of scheduled trips had live predictions; 99.1% of vehicles on their route; predictions ran a median of 74s behind schedule.
Over time
This is the first scorecard for this agency. A trend and a "what changed" summary appear here once it has been checked more than once.
Everything we checked
- Error6 instances
Pathway unreachable location (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'pathway_unreachable_location' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: pathway_unreachable_location · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning308 instances
Trip distance exceeds shape distance below threshold (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'trip_distance_exceeds_shape_distance_below_threshold' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: trip_distance_exceeds_shape_distance_below_threshold · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning221 instances
Some scheduled trips travel implausibly fast between stops.
Usually a typo'd stop time; riders get impossible arrival estimates.
Fix: Check the flagged stop times for transposed minutes. (A few minutes per flagged trip.)
Validator rule: fast_travel_between_consecutive_stops · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning34 instances
34 of 205 trips scheduled during the sampling window had no live predictions.
Riders on those trips get schedule data dressed up as realtime. Caltrans expects every operating trip in TripUpdates.
Fix: Check with your AVL vendor that every vehicle assignment flows into TripUpdates, including school-day and tripper runs. (A vendor data-mapping question.)
Validator rule: scorecard_rt_trip_coverage · Read the fix guide · See GTFS-Realtime reference (opens the GTFS-Realtime reference on an external site)
- Warning25 instances
Stop too far from shape using user distance (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'stop_too_far_from_shape_using_user_distance' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: stop_too_far_from_shape_using_user_distance · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning6 instances
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.)
Validator rule: mixed_case_recommended_field · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning4 instances
Pathway dangling generic node (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'pathway_dangling_generic_node' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: pathway_dangling_generic_node · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning3 instances
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.)
Validator rule: service_has_no_active_day_of_the_week · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning2 instances
2 of 14221 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.)
Validator rule: scorecard_wheelchair_boarding_unknown · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)
- Warning1 instance
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.)
Validator rule: feed_expiration_date30_days · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning1 instance
Missing feed contact email and url (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'missing_feed_contact_email_and_url' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: missing_feed_contact_email_and_url · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning1 instance
Route long name contains short name (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'route_long_name_contains_short_name' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: route_long_name_contains_short_name · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning1 instance
Service data runs out in 1 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.)
Validator rule: scorecard_feed_expiring_soon · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices on an external site)
- Info846 instances
This feed describes station pathways, including step-free (elevator) routes.
Riders can be routed through the station, and wheelchair users can see whether a step-free route exists.
Fix: No action needed. (None.)
Validator rule: scorecard_station_pathways
- Info71 instances
Service window outside feed period (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'service_window_outside_feed_period' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: service_window_outside_feed_period · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Info2 instances
Unknown file (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'unknown_file' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: unknown_file · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Info1 instance
Unused station (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'unused_station' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Validator rule: unused_station · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Info1 instance
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 with your feed, so problems linger.
Fix: Add feed_contact_email to feed_info.txt. (One field.)
Validator rule: scorecard_no_feed_contact · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
Beyond the grade
Opportunities that do not change your grade today: fare detail, on-demand service, and deeper accessibility data.
13 route badge(s) pair a color and text color below the WCAG 4.5:1 contrast bar (L1, B1, B2, B3, T1, and more).
Consider: Adjust route_color or route_text_color so each pair clears 4.5:1. Often switching the text between black and white is enough.
13421 stop name(s) use abbreviations or symbols a screen reader may mispronounce, with no spoken form set ("Roosevelt Blvd & Broad St - FS", "Roosevelt Blvd & 5th St", "Roosevelt Blvd & Pratt St", and more).
Consider: Add tts_stop_name with the spoken form, e.g. 'Main Street and Second Avenue', for the affected stops.
Some fixes we can make for you
These are the safe mechanical fixes, applied to a copy of your feed. They change only what is certain and leave everything else untouched. Review the diff before you publish.
Trimmed surrounding whitespace 1 change
For example: 'stop_name': ' Stair F - B Mezzanine South' -> 'Stair F - B Mezzanine South'
NTD GTFS readiness Needs attention
This feed is close to NTD-ready. 1 validator error to resolve. Service data runs out in 1 days; renew before you certify.
- Published Ready
- Published at a public URL.
- Valid Needs attention
- 1 validator error to resolve.
- Current Needs attention
- Service data runs out in 1 days; renew before you certify.
- agency_id matches your NTD ID Not checked yet
- Setting your GTFS agency_id to your five-digit NTD ID is an optional way to line a feed up with its National Transit Database record. FTA links the two on your P-50 form, so it is not a required feed change. We don't have your NTD ID on file, so this is not checked yet.
In plain words: if you report to the federal transit database, you have to publish a working, up-to-date feed and confirm it once a year. This box is a heads-up on whether yours looks ready; it is not the official sign-off.
A readiness signal mapping this feed to the FTA National Transit Database GTFS requirement (Report Year 2023 onward: a public, valid, current feed, certified annually on the D-10). Aligning agency_id with your NTD ID lets the feed line up with your NTD record; the July 2025 final rule links the two on the P-50 form rather than requiring that feed change, and requires shapes.txt in the published GTFS: Full Reporters from Report Year 2025, and Reduced, Rural, and Tribal Reporters from Report Year 2026. Not an official determination; your certification is the official check.
Conformance mark Not yet
This feed is close to the conformance mark. 1 validator error to resolve. Service data runs out in 1 days; renew to qualify.
- Valid Not yet
- 1 validator error to resolve.
- Current Not yet
- Service data runs out in 1 days; renew to qualify.
- Accessible Met
- States wheelchair access on 100% of stops and 100% of trips.
In plain words: earn this mark when your feed passes validation, has not expired, and says whether nearly every stop and trip is wheelchair accessible.
A pass credential for a feed that is valid, current, and states wheelchair access on nearly every stop and trip. Accessibility here measures what the feed publishes, not whether a stop is physically usable. How the conformance mark works.
Realtime reliability
The realtime feed responded on 100.0% of 1 checks, with 10s median lag.
Sampled on a schedule between full scores, so this tracks uptime and freshness over time rather than at a single moment.
Live predictions vs schedule
Arrival predictions ran a median 74s late versus the schedule, and stayed within 512s nine times in ten. They were on time (about a minute early to five late) 60.1% of the time. 99.1% of reported vehicle positions sat on or near the published route shape.
From the last full realtime sample: how far live arrival predictions sat from the schedule, and whether vehicle positions fell on the route. These feed the realtime score; they change no other category.
Clears the Google and Apple Maps four-week coverage bar. This feed has 43 days of service ahead, clearing the four-week (28-day) window Maps asks for. The feed also carries 6 validator errors, the other thing Maps checks at onboarding; the findings below name each fix.
How this agency maps to the standards
A data-quality lens, not a compliance determination. Each category shows this feed's score and the standards it relates to: the FTA National Transit Database GTFS requirement, the MobilityData grading scheme, and the Google Transit gate. Read the full standards crosswalk.
- Correctness 32 / 100
- GTFS Schedule best practices, checked by the MobilityData validator. MobilityData grading: stop locations, route names and colors. Google Transit: a feed must pass validation to stay in Maps.
- Freshness 2 / 100
- The FTA National Transit Database expectation of a valid, current feed. Google Transit: an expired calendar drops the agency from Maps.
- Rider experience 92 / 100
- GTFS Best Practices for rider-facing fields. MobilityData grading: stop names and headsigns.
- Realtime quality 94 / 100
- GTFS-Realtime best practices: a stable URL, high uptime, and frequent updates.
Show your grade
Put a live badge on your agency site or feed README. It updates daily and links back to this scorecard.
Prefer a shields.io style? Point a dynamic endpoint badge at the published badge.json.
Cite this record
This page updates on every check. The record below does not: it is the dated file this grade came from, published at https://gtfsscorecard.org/data/artifacts/southeastern-pennsylvania-transportation-authority-septa-502/2026-07-10.json and never overwritten, pinning the grade, category scores, rubric version, validator version, and the scored feed's sha256 as they stood on 2026-07-10. Use it in a board packet, an NTD narrative, or a research citation instead of linking the live page, whose content will differ on your next visit.
Citing the tool itself rather than one agency's record? Use the repo's CITATION.cff.