Welcome to the group aiming to make GTFS more relevant for the rest of the world
tay...@itpworld.net
Welcome to the working group that is focused on using the GTFS framework to model the less rigid transit systems that are typically found in developing and transitional cities around the world. The purpose of this group is to bring together like-minded people working in this space in order to rapidly build the consensus needed to successfully propose, and demonstrate the viability of, acceptable changes to the current GTFS spec in a way that:
- Supports the modelling of non-stop-based and
non-scheduled transit services.
- Ensures GTFS becomes a framework that can be
used by transit agencies working in this context.
- Accelerates the adoption of GTFS for all modes of transit in developing or transitional cities - not just fixed route services.
- Makes it possible for smartphone and web-app developers to consume data in a standardised format across multiple cities that contain less rigid transit systems - thereby making multi-modal trip planning and analytical tools a possibility.
- Feeds the relatively minor spec changes that are envisaged as emerging from this group into deeper on-going discussions being taken forward by the working group for flexible/para-transit service GTFS: https://groups.google.com/group/gtfs-flexible-wg.
This group has formed based around a number of on-going efforts in Manila, Mexico City, Dhaka, and Nairobi (amongst others) to use the GTFS specification to model the local transit systems in these cities. We are really keen to hear from more people working with GTFS in these contexts to learn about the issues you have experienced and ideas you have for making GTFS more relevant to less rigid transit systems.
To get the discussion moving, it would be great if you can share some details about the challenges you have experienced with using GTFS to model less rigid transit systems by taking the time to complete the brief survey forms at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dG9iM19ndzdma0tTRlVvcmFSVDNMVFE6MQ.
The aim is to use the findings from this survey to identify common challenges and issues experienced when trying to use GTFS to model less rigid transit systems, and agree on a number of simple changes that could be proposed to the current GTFS spec in order that it can better meet the needs of these city transit contexts. You can check out, and comment upon, the survey findings here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ars-s3SSmVg0dG9iM19ndzdma0tTRlVvcmFSVDNMVFE#gid=1
Looking forward to seeing the discussion develop over the coming weeks and months, and please note that I don't expect to moderate/facilitate this discussion going forward. There are many leaders from various projects (some of which are mentioned above) that are ideally positioned to guide the discussion and collaborative efforts of this working group as it develops.
Best regards
Neil Taylor
