Whether you’re a public transit agency or you operate a private shuttle, accurate digital transit information is no longer a “nice to have.” Riders expect to find schedules instantly, see reliable arrival predictions, and trust that what’s on their screens reflects what’s happening on the ground. Behind that experience is General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) schedule data. It is the global standard that turns your routes and timetables into data that powers Google Maps, Apple Maps, the Transit app, Actionfigure Screen, and other rider tools used by millions. But for many small and mid-sized organizations, GTFS Schedule creation and maintainance can be a heavy lift.
That’s why we are excited to announce that Actionfigure offers GTFS Schedule creation and maintenance as a software service, designed for small and mid-sized transit agencies, universities, airports, healthcare campuses, corporate real estate shuttles, and large events. Actionfigure has been consuming and producing GTFS data since 2014 for clients, including real estate owners, universities, and major events. Our extensive experience with displaying schedule and real-time information, including our market-leading TransitScreen real-time displays and leading B2B mobile apps, gives us the unique ability to deliver data that improves customer and rider experiences. Since we’ve always consumed it to power our products and built it for select customers to display in those products, we decided to meet the growing demand by offering it as a standalone solution.
What is GTFS?
GTFS is fundamental for providing real-time arrival data for both public transit and private shuttle services because it enables standardized, interoperable access to live schedules, vehicle location, and status updates across digital platforms, trip planning tools, and building displays. It’s also the foundation that allows agencies to further inform riders about such things as fares, detours, alerts, in-station accessibility, and more.
GTFS is split into two key components: static data known as GTFS Schedule (routes, schedules, stops, fares, etc.) and real-time data known as GTFS-RT (dynamic trip updates, live vehicle positions, delays, and service alerts). You cannot have GTFS -RT without first having GTFS Schedule. This foundation ensures that trip planners and customer-facing apps can provide reliable information at every stage of a journey. GTFS Schedule sets clear expectations for when and where vehicles should arrive, while the real-time component allows for instant updates, adjustments, and accurate arrival predictions as circumstances shift.
As a result, GTFS Schedule enables universal, real-time visibility and interoperability for both traditional public transit and innovative private shuttle services, providing the backbone for modern trip planning, vehicle tracking, and amenity-rich digital displays in real estate and urban environments.
Why GTFS Schedule Creation and Maintenance Matters
- Discoverable in major 3rd party apps and trip planners
- Consistent across apps, websites, and real-time screens
- Reliable inputs for real-time arrival predictions
- Why GTFS accuracy directly impacts rider trust
- Where may organizations struggle with schedule maintenance
- How better data unlocks better real-time performance
Benefits for Public Transit
- Standardized GTFS feeds make it possible for thousands of transit providers to deliver their data seamlessly to apps and signage, ensuring passengers receive the same quality of information wherever they travel.
- Real-time GTFS (GTFS-RT) improves rider experience by reducing uncertainty, supporting precise trip planning, and enabling users to respond to disruptions and delays in transit service.
- Transit agencies use GTFS data to monitor network operations, adapt services, and optimize routes based on live demand and travel patterns.
Importance for Private Shuttles
- For private shuttle operators (such as those serving real estate developments or corporate campuses), publishing arrival data in the GTFS format allows integration with multimodal trip planners and third-party mobility apps, offering passengers the same convenience and visibility as traditional public transit.
- GTFS real-time enables shuttle operators to share live status, route changes, and last-mile connections, making their services discoverable and transparent to users seeking flexible mobility solutions.
- By adopting GTFS, private shuttles become part of city-wide digital ecosystems, helping property managers boost amenity value and real-time communications for residents and tenants.
Interoperability and Ecosystem Integration
- GTFS supports integration between public and private operators, allowing for seamless multimodal trip planning and combined displays of arrivals, route choices, and alerts across multiple networks and platforms.
- The open standard ensures private shuttles and public transit can coordinate for building displays, mobile apps, and urban navigation systems, maximizing accessibility and convenience for all users.
End-to-End GTFS Schedule Creation and Maintenance Solution
Get Started
Book a demo with Tony Hudgins to learn more about Actionfigure’s GTFS Schedule creation and maintenance solutions.
