Get on Google Maps and every trip planner riders use
Build, manage and distribute GTFS feeds from one interface. TDS creates, validates and keeps them current, so your service shows up correctly in Google Maps, Apple Maps and other journey planners.
Why GTFS matters
The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is the standard data format for publishing public transportation schedules and their geographic information. Riders expect accurate information wherever they plan a journey, especially in Google Maps, and without a properly maintained feed your service may appear incomplete, or not at all. GTFS enables:
- Seamless integration with Google Transit and other trip planners
- Accurate rider-facing schedules and route information
- Interoperability across apps, agencies and regions
- Data-driven planning, analytics and service optimization
End-to-end GTFS support
Feed creation from source data
Convert scheduling systems, spreadsheets or CAD/AVL exports into GTFS-compliant files, including complex service patterns, interlining and multiple agencies.
Automated feed management
Updates scheduled around your service changes, with version control so historical feeds stay archived and accessible.
Continuous validation
Every feed is checked with industry-standard validators before Google and other platforms ingest it.
Realtime extensions
GTFS-Realtime endpoints (TripUpdates, VehiclePositions, Alerts) fed from your AVL, GPS or CAD/AVL systems, and monitored for uptime and reliability.
Compliance & distribution
Feeds that meet the requirements of Google Maps, Apple Maps and others, published to open-data platforms or private APIs.
GTFS Flex
Publish demand-responsive and flexible services alongside your fixed routes.
Built for Google Transit
GTFS is the foundation of Google Transit, which lets agencies publish schedules and geographic data directly into Google Maps and related apps. To integrate successfully, agencies must:
- Maintain strict data structure and validation standards
- Keep feeds continuously updated and error-free
- Provide consistent schedule and geographic accuracy
TDS makes sure your feeds are compliant, optimized and ready for submission to Google and other downstream systems.
What's inside a GTFS feed
A GTFS feed is a structured dataset, typically a ZIP of text files, that represents your transit system:
- Stops and station locations
- Routes and service patterns
- Trips and schedules
- Calendar and service availability
- Fare rules and transfers
Each part works with the others to power routing, trip planning and rider-facing apps.
Beyond static data
GTFS has grown beyond planned schedules. TDS helps agencies implement and integrate every layer, so riders always see the most accurate information available:
- GTFS Static: planned schedules and routes
- GTFS Realtime (GTFS-RT): live vehicle positions, delays and alerts
- GTFS Flex: demand-responsive and flexible services
Building and maintaining accurate feeds takes consistent data modeling, quality assurance and ongoing updates. Let TDS do the work for you.
What carriers get
- Your service shown correctly in Google Maps and Apple Maps
- Feeds that stay valid as schedules change
- Static, realtime and flex data from one provider
Related products
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