Google Transit Data Tool for Small Transit Agencies

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project report discusses the process, results, and work effort carried out in creating a tool to benefit small transit agencies, their current riders and potential new riders. This project included development of a tool to have transit information (routes, start and stop times, trips, fares, and schedules) accessible online via Google Transit. As a result of the tool developed in this Transit IDEA project, solutions are available to small transit agencies at a lower cost and with less resources compared to staff and resources previously needed to accomplish the objective. This project developed a tool that transit agencies can use to provide valid Google Transit data feeds, in accordance with the Google Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), required by Google Transit and other online transit trip planner applications. Following a successful development cycle (design, coding, and testing) the project pilot testing showed the application and supporting documents to work effectively. The code created is stable and available to provide small transit agencies an effective method for getting their riders and potential new riders the information they need in a timely manner. With the application code being open source, it provides a path for possible further development and expansion of functions provided. Those who want to enhance the current application in the future have a method to add specific features.