GTFS How-To Guides for Transit Agencies

Practical, step-by-step guides for transit agency managers and operators. No technical background required.

Foundation

How to Create a GTFS Feed from Scratch

Everything you need to build your first GTFS feed — stops, routes, timetables, and calendars — explained for non-technical readers.

Foundation

How to Validate a GTFS Feed

Run your feed through a validator, understand the output, and fix errors before Google Maps rejects your submission.

Foundation

How to Test Your GTFS Feed Before Publishing

A complete pre-publication checklist — go beyond validation to confirm your data actually represents your service accurately.

Publishing

How to Publish Your GTFS Feed to Google Maps

Step-by-step guide to submitting your GTFS feed via the Google Transit Partner Portal and getting your routes live in Google Maps.

Publishing

How to Submit Your GTFS Feed to Apple Maps

Reach millions of iPhone users by getting your transit routes listed on Apple Maps — the default navigation app on every iOS device.

Publishing

How to Get Your Routes on Trip Planners

One GTFS feed. Every major trip planner. Learn how to submit to Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other trip planners.

Maintenance

How to Update a GTFS Feed After Schedule Changes

Keep your routes accurate year-round. Step-by-step instructions for updating timetables, stops, and calendars when your service changes.

Troubleshooting

How to Fix Common GTFS Feed Errors

A reference guide to the most common GTFS validation errors, what causes them, and exactly how to fix each one.

Advanced

How to Add Real-Time GTFS-RT to Your Service

Show riders live vehicle positions and accurate arrival predictions. A practical guide to GTFS Realtime for agencies of all sizes.

Strategy

How to Create a Transit App for Your Agency

Custom app vs. white-label vs. Google Maps listing — understand your options and choose the right digital strategy for your agency.


What Is GTFS and Why Does It Matter?

GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) is the global standard for sharing transit schedules and geographic data. It is the format used by Google Maps, Apple Maps, and dozens of other apps to display bus, ferry, rail, and shuttle routes worldwide.

When your agency has a valid GTFS feed, riders can look up your routes in the apps they already use — without you building an app, printing more timetables, or paying for advertising. A GTFS feed is the single most cost-effective investment in rider awareness a transit agency can make.

These guides are written for transit agency managers and operators — not developers. No technical background is required to follow any of them. If you have questions, AddTransit's team is available to help.

Start with AddTransit

Most agencies have their GTFS feed created and ready within a single day using AddTransit. Each journey planner then has its own submission, review, and publishing process before your routes appear publicly.

Get started free