“GTFS Examples” is a tutorial on GTFS basics: routes, stops, calendars, schedules, and fares

It’s useful to understand what GTFS data is if you interact with it in any capacity — whether you are building the data, working with a vendor, or an executive managing technical projects. We created a simple tutorial to dive in.

During a 2013 project, a Trillium and World Bank team developed a clear, non-scary (and color-coded!) “GTFS Examples” document that covers 11 examples:

• Example 1: relationships between files to define schedules.
• Example 2: using calendar.txt to define seasonal schedules.
• Example 3: using frequencies.txt with stop_times.txt
• Example 4: another look at frequencies.txt; headways intervals vary throughout the day.
• Example 5: another look at frequencies.txt; headways intervals and travel times vary throughout the day.
• Example 6: Trip variations: express and short trips
• Example 7: Different but similar travel patterns are defined as separate routes
• Example 8: Fares, a combination of free and discounted transfers
• Example 9: Fares are defined by zones
• Example 10: Fare structure includes free transfers, but only for specific routes
• Example 11: A full example, with trips, frequencies, and fares

Let us know if you find it useful, or have ideas to make it better!