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Feed status · checked 2026-07-09
Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA)
Based on the feed this agency publishes
down 0.5 since 2026-07-08
Ahead of 37% of all tracked agencies and 49% of large agencies. Operates in Ohio.
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.
Checked for changes 12 minutes ago; last changed 18 days ago.
Top things to fix
Set wheelchair_boarding to 1 (accessible) or 2 (not accessible) for every stop. A field survey can start with the busiest stops.Likely your team
1371 of 1371 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.
⏱ A column in stops.txt; your scheduling software likely has it.worth about +25 points
Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip (most small-agency fleets are 100% accessible, so this is often a single default).Likely your export tool
1678 of 1678 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible. Even with accessible stops, riders need to know the bus itself can take them.
⏱ Often one default setting in your export.worth about +15 points
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 5 observed fixes).
Use mixed case for stop names and headsigns (e.g. 'Main St & 2nd Ave', not 'MAIN ST & 2ND AVE').Likely your export tool
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.
⏱ Often a bulk fix in your scheduling software.worth about +8 points
This feed is built with National RTAP's GTFS Builder. Your staff can usually make these changes in the GTFS Builder spreadsheets and republish, and National RTAP's help desk supports that at no cost.
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.
Set wheelchair_boarding to 1 (accessible) or 2 (not accessible) for every stop. A field survey can start with the busiest stops. · Read the fix guide
Make the change. This feed is built with National RTAP's GTFS Builder. Your staff can usually make these changes in the GTFS Builder spreadsheets and republish, and National RTAP's help desk supports that at no cost.
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.
Set wheelchair_accessible on every trip (most small-agency fleets are 100% accessible, so this is often a single default). · Read the fix guide
Make the change. This feed is built with National RTAP's GTFS Builder. Your staff can usually make these changes in the GTFS Builder spreadsheets and republish, and National RTAP's help desk supports that at no cost.
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.
Use mixed case for stop names and headsigns (e.g. 'Main St & 2nd Ave', not 'MAIN ST & 2ND AVE'). · Read the fix guide
Make the change. This feed is built with National RTAP's GTFS Builder. Your staff can usually make these changes in the GTFS Builder spreadsheets and republish, and National RTAP's help desk supports that at no cost.
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
This feed comes from National RTAP's GTFS Builder, so your own staff can usually make these changes in the GTFS Builder spreadsheets and republish. If a consultant maintains it for you, forward this to them. Each fix names the validator notice and a guide link.
Score by category
The MobilityData validator flagged 7 kinds of issue across 3463 instances (0 error, 3463 warning, 0 informational).
Service data covers the next 30 days.
0% of stops state wheelchair accessibility (0% marked accessible, 0% marked not accessible). This measures what the feed publishes, not whether a stop is physically usable. Fare data is published.
0% of stops state accessibility (0% marked accessible). Reflects what the feed states, not verified physical usability.
Fares are applied to trips.
Not scored yet. Nothing here counts against the grade.
Over time
Overall score across the last 21 checks — down 0.5 since 2026-07-08.
Show the numbers
| Check | Score | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | 59.7 | first check |
| 2026-06-20 | 59.3 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-21 | 58.9 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-22 | 58.4 | down 0.5 |
| 2026-06-23 | 58.0 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-24 | 57.6 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-25 | 57.2 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-26 | 56.8 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-27 | 56.4 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-28 | 55.9 | down 0.5 |
| 2026-06-29 | 55.5 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-06-30 | 55.1 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-01 | 54.7 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-02 | 54.3 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-03 | 53.8 | down 0.5 |
| 2026-07-04 | 53.4 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-05 | 53.0 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-06 | 52.6 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-07 | 52.2 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-08 | 51.8 | down 0.4 |
| 2026-07-09 | 51.3 | down 0.5 |
What changed since your last check
- Correctness no change
- Freshness down 1.7
- Rider experience no change
What changed in this feed
Overall score fell 0.5 points since 2026-07-08.
Same feed file as 2026-07-08; the published zip did not change.
Subscribe to this feed’s changes (Atom) to hear about grade drops in a reader, with no sign-up.
What changed over time
On 2026-06-19 this feed started at grade F. On 2026-07-09 feed entered the expiry window (30 days of service left). As of 2026-07-09 it holds grade F.
A plain-language history of this feed, newest first.
- 2026-07-09 Feed entered the expiry window (30 days of service left).
Everything we checked
- Warning3068 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)
- Warning1678 instances
1678 of 1678 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 (most small-agency fleets are 100% accessible, so this is often a single default). (Often one default setting in your export.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 5 observed fixes).
Validator rule: scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)
- Warning1371 instances
1371 of 1371 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)
- Warning358 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.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 6 observed fixes).
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)
- Warning30 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.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 2 weeks (based on 6 observed fixes).
Validator rule: fast_travel_between_consecutive_stops · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning4 instances
Some stops sit far from the route line they belong to.
Trip planners may draw the bus route through the wrong streets or point riders to the wrong corner.
Fix: Check the flagged stops' coordinates and the route shape in your scheduling software; re-snap whichever is misplaced. (A few minutes per flagged stop.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 2 weeks (based on 6 observed fixes).
Validator rule: stop_too_far_from_shape · 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.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 6 observed fixes).
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
Some files are missing recommended (not required) fields.
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.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 2 weeks (based on 8 observed fixes).
Validator rule: missing_recommended_field · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Warning1 instance
Stops match shape out of order (flagged by the MobilityData validator).
See the linked rule for what this affects.
Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'stops_match_shape_out_of_order' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 6 observed fixes).
Validator rule: stops_match_shape_out_of_order · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)
- Info1369 instances
About 1369 stop names are written in ALL CAPS.
Mixed-case names are easier to read in apps and are read more naturally by screen readers.
Fix: Rename stops to mixed case (e.g. 'Main St & 2nd Ave'). (Often a bulk fix in your scheduling software.)
Validator rule: scorecard_stop_names_all_caps · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices 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.)
Agencies here usually clear this within about 1 week (based on 10 observed fixes).
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.
11 route badge(s) pair a color and text color below the WCAG 4.5:1 contrast bar (045, 101, 102, 105, 108, 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.
1295 stop name(s) use abbreviations or symbols a screen reader may mispronounce, with no spoken form set ("BELDEN VILLAGE AVE AT WESTFIELD MALL", "HOLIDAY AND HIGBEE AVE NW", "WHIPPLE AVE AND 50TH ST NW", 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 2 changes
For example: 'stop_desc': '0 ' -> '0'
Recased shouting stop names 1369 changes
For example: CORNERSTONE TRANSIT CENTER -> Cornerstone Transit Center
Recased shouting route names 24 changes
For example: BELDEN VILLAGE/STARK STATE -> Belden Village/stark State
NTD certification readiness Needs attention
This feed is close to NTD-ready. Service data runs out in 30 days; renew before you certify.
- Published Ready
- Published at a public URL.
- Valid Ready
- Passes validation with no errors.
- Current Needs attention
- Service data runs out in 30 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. Service data runs out in 30 days; renew to qualify. States wheelchair access on 0% of stops and 0% of trips; the mark needs 90% of each.
- Valid Met
- Passes validation with no errors.
- Current Not yet
- Service data runs out in 30 days; renew to qualify.
- Accessible Not yet
- States wheelchair access on 0% of stops and 0% of trips; the mark needs 90% of each.
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.
Clears the Google and Apple Maps four-week coverage bar. This feed has 30 days of service ahead, clearing the four-week (28-day) window Maps asks for. No validator errors either, so riders keep seeing this agency in their trip planners; warnings lower the grade here but do not remove a feed from Maps.
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 62 / 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 50 / 100
- The FTA National Transit Database expectation of a valid, current feed. Google Transit: an expired calendar drops the agency from Maps.
- Rider experience 38 / 100
- GTFS Best Practices for rider-facing fields. MobilityData grading: stop names and headsigns.
- Realtime quality Not yet published
- GTFS-Realtime best practices: a stable URL, high uptime, and frequent updates.
Show your grade
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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/stark-area-regional-transit-authority-sarta-2001/2026-07-09.json and never overwritten, pinning the grade, category scores, rubric version, validator version, and the scored feed's sha256 as they stood on 2026-07-09. 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.
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