GTFSstandarden

The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is a data format for public transportation schedules and their associated geographic information. It allows public transportation agencies to publish their transit data in a common format, which can then be readily consumed by a wide variety of applications, including trip planning software and mobile apps. The GTFS was originally developed by Portland's TriMet and has been adopted by transit agencies worldwide.

GTFS consists of a collection of text files, including schedules, routes, stops, and associated geographic information. These files are typically distributed as a zip archive. The core components of a GTFS feed include files for routes, trips, stop times, and stops. Routes define the service provided by an agency, such as a bus line or train route. Trips represent a sequence of stops made at specific times for a given route. Stop times detail the arrival and departure times at each stop for a particular trip. Stops define the physical locations where passengers can board or alight transit vehicles.

Beyond these core components, GTFS can also include additional files to describe more complex aspects of transit operations. This can include information about transfers between routes, fare structures, and real-time vehicle positions. The specification is maintained by a community of developers and transit agencies, with updates and extensions being proposed and adopted over time. GTFS has become a de facto standard for sharing public transit data, facilitating innovation and improving the accessibility of transit information for riders.