Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS)

Trip distance exceeds shape distance (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'trip_distance_exceeds_shape_distance' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

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

126539 of 126539 trips don't say whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible.

Even with accessible stops, riders need to know the transit vehicle 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 for scorecard_wheelchair_accessible_unknown · See GTFS Schedule reference (opens the GTFS Schedule reference on an external site)

30356 of 30356 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 for scorecard_wheelchair_boarding_unknown · 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 path or point riders to the wrong boarding location.

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 for stop_too_far_from_shape_using_user_distance · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

On some trips the stop distances run a little past the end of the route line.

The stop and shape distance values don't quite line up, so any math that uses them can drift.

Fix: Re-generate shape_dist_traveled on export so stop and shape distances use the same units. (Usually an export-tool fix, not hand editing.)

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

Some route lines list the same point twice in a row.

Repeated points don't hurt riders, but they can skew distance math and hint at a shaky export.

Fix: Turn on shape cleanup in your export tool, or drop the repeated points from shapes.txt. (Usually one export setting.)

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

Some service calendars in the feed have already ended.

Expired calendars are dead weight and can hide real schedule problems from your staff and vendors.

Fix: Remove past service periods the next time you export the feed. (One setting in most export tools.)

Finding code: expired_calendar · Read the fix guide for expired_calendar · 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 transit vehicle route through the wrong path or point riders to the wrong boarding location.

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 for stop_too_far_from_shape · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Missing bike allowance (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'missing_bike_allowance' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

Finding code: missing_bike_allowance · 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 transit vehicle 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)

Some stops exist in the feed but no trip ever stops at them.

Riders may walk to a stop where no transit vehicle is scheduled to arrive.

Fix: Remove retired stops from the export, or add them back to the trips that should serve them. (A review pass in your scheduling software.)

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

Two or more routes share the same name.

Riders can't tell the routes apart in apps.

Fix: Give each route a distinct short or long name. (One field per route.)

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

Some route colors don't contrast with their text color.

Route badges get hard to read, most of all for riders with low vision.

Fix: Pick a darker/lighter route_text_color for the flagged routes. (One field per route.)

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

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 for mixed_case_recommended_field · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

Stop has too many matches for shape (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'stop_has_too_many_matches_for_shape' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

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

Some trips serve fewer than two stops.

A trip with one stop can't be ridden; planners ignore it and it may signal an export problem.

Fix: Check the flagged trips in your scheduling software; remove them or restore their missing stops. (Worth a vendor question if it appears often.)

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

Unused trip (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'unused_trip' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

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

The feed contains no fare information.

Riders see 'fare unknown' in trip planners and can't budget their trip; visitors are most affected.

Fix: Add fare_attributes.txt (or Fares v2 files) with your fare structure. If your service is fare-free, ask to have it marked fare-free instead. (A small file for most flat-fare systems.)

Finding code: scorecard_no_fare_data · Read the fix guide for scorecard_no_fare_data · See GTFS Best Practices (opens GTFS Best Practices on an external site)

This feed models stations or entrances but has no pathways.txt.

Trip planners can't guide riders through the station, and there is no step-free route information for wheelchair users.

Fix: Add pathways.txt to link entrances, platforms, and elevators. Give each one a level. (Worth it for multi-level or large stations; flat stops don't need it.)

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

The feed has a stretch of two weeks or more with no service running.

A long gap can mean dates were left out of the calendar. Apps then show no trips on those days.

Fix: Check whether the gap is real, like a seasonal break; if not, add the missing dates to the calendar. (A review of your calendar dates.)

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

Transfer distance above 2 km (flagged by the MobilityData validator).

See the linked rule for what this affects.

Fix: Review the rule documentation for 'transfer_distance_above_2_km' at https://gtfs-validator.mobilitydata.org/rules.html and check the flagged rows in your feed. (Varies.)

Finding code: transfer_distance_above_2_km · See MobilityData GTFS Validator rules (opens the validator rules on an external site)

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. Small errors then sit in the feed for months.

Fix: Add feed_contact_email to feed_info.txt. (One field.)

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