Board packet · transit data quality · checked 2026-09-13

Springfield Mass Transit District (SMTD)

Grade B · 80.2 / 100

Unchanged since 2026-09-12.

What this grade measures

The quality of the schedule data in the feed scored here 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:

Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip. If every vehicle is accessible, this may be one default; otherwise use the value for each trip.
3335 of 3503 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible. Even with accessible stops, riders need to know the bus itself can take them.
Estimated effort: A default or per-trip field in your export.
Trim leading and trailing spaces on export. The scorecard's auto-fixed copy already does this.
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.
Estimated effort: Usually one export setting.
Use mixed case for stop names and headsigns (e.g. 'Main St & 2nd Ave', not 'MAIN ST & 2ND AVE').
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.
Estimated effort: Often a bulk fix in your scheduling software.

Finding handoff

Move one finding to a recheck

Select one finding. Copy the request, make the change in the feed-producing tool, then compare the next complete run.

Feed evidence: 3335 of 3503 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible.
Next action: Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip. If every vehicle is accessible, this may be one default; otherwise use the value for each trip.
Recheck: Publish the changed feed at the same URL. On the next complete, comparable scorecard run, confirm that this finding is no longer reported.

Copy handoff text

Agency: Springfield Mass Transit District (SMTD)
Finding: scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown
Feed evidence: 3335 of 3503 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible.
Why it matters: Even with accessible stops, riders need to know the bus itself can take them.
Requested change: Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip. If every vehicle is accessible, this may be one default; otherwise use the value for each trip.
Recheck: Publish the changed feed at the same URL. On the next complete, comparable scorecard run, confirm that this finding is no longer reported.
Evidence: https://gtfsscorecard.org/agency/springfield-mass-transit-district-smtd-3187/?finding=scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown#finding-handoff

Produced by the GTFS Scorecard, an open-source data quality tool. A data-quality read to support the board conversation, not an official compliance determination. Live scorecard: https://gtfsscorecard.org/agency/springfield-mass-transit-district-smtd-3187/. Rubric v1.3, validator 8.0.1.