Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA)

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.)

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

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. 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 · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

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.)

Finding code: scorecard_wheelchair_boarding_unknown · Read the fix guide · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

Some stops sit far from the route line, going by the feed's own distance values.

Trip planners may draw the route down the wrong streets or point riders to the wrong corner.

Fix: Check the flagged stops' shape_dist_traveled against the route shape, and re-generate it on export if they disagree. (Usually an export-tool fix, not hand editing.)

Finding code: 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)

Some scheduled trips move faster between stops than a bus can.

Usually a typo'd stop time; riders get arrival times no bus can meet.

Fix: Check the flagged stop times for transposed minutes. (A few minutes per flagged trip.)

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

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.)

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

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.)

Finding code: feed_expiration_date30_days · Read the fix guide · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

feed_info.txt lists no contact email and no contact URL.

Without a contact, apps like Google Maps can't reach you when they find a problem in the feed.

Fix: Add feed_contact_email or feed_contact_url to feed_info.txt. (One field, set once in export settings.)

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

Some files leave out fields that GTFS asks for but does not require.

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.)

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

On some trips the stops fall along the route line in a different order than the schedule lists.

Trip planners can draw the bus doubling back or skipping ahead, which confuses riders reading the map.

Fix: Check the stop order and the shape direction in your scheduling software; the shape is often drawn backwards. (A few minutes per flagged trip.)

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

Service data runs out in 7 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 · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices on an external site)

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 where the language has letter case (for example, 'Central Station'). (Often a bulk fix in your scheduling software.)

Finding code: scorecard_stop_names_all_caps · Read the fix guide · 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).

Trip-planning apps and regional data coordinators 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.)

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