Routes

In GTFS, a route is a group of trips that follow one or more patterns and operate throughout a service day. It is identified by a unique route_id and contains information such as the route name, type, and operating agency. For more information, view the GTFS specification route reference

Editing/Creating Routes

To begin editing routes, click the bus (🚍) button on the lefthand navigation bar.

Choose a route from the list or search by route name in the dropdown. To create a new route, click New route or + Create first route if this is the first route being created.

Zoom to route extents

Clicking the 🔍 button (in the top toolbar) with a route selected adjusts the map view to show the entire route (i.e., all patterns) you are editing.

Route details

The following fields are required before you can hit Save and Continue:

  • Status: Takes the following values:
    • In-Progress: Showing a route has not been completely entered
    • Pending Approval: A route has all the information entered and is awaiting a senior person to sign it off
    • Approved: All the above stages have been completed
  • Publicly Visible? This must be set to "Yes" for the route to be included in a GTFS output.
  • route_id: An identifier for the route. A randomly generated ID is provided by default.
  • route_short_name: Name of the service/route, this may just be a number
  • route_long_name: The full name of the route, often including the origin and destination
  • route_type: The type of vehicle/transport used on the route

The following fields are optional:

  • agency_id: The agency identifier from the defined agencies. Generally this field is automatically populated.
  • route_desc: A description of the route, do not simply repeat the information in ‘Long name’
  • route_sort_order: Orders the routes for presentation to GTFS consumers. Routes with smaller route_sort_order values should be displayed first
  • route_url: A link to a webpage with information on the specific route, such as the timetable
  • route_color: If a route has a color (for use in trip planners etc) it can be assigned here
  • route_text_color: If a route has a text color (for use in trip planners etc) it can be assigned here
  • Is route wheelchair accessible? Either "Yes", "No", or "No Information"
  • Route branding URL: A link to a webpage with route branding information
  • Route branding asset: A route image

Once all the required fields and any of the desired optional fields are filled in, click Save.

Note: as with all newly created items (except patterns), the new route will not be saved until the save icon (💾) is clicked.

Trip Patterns

Once you've created and saved a route, you can then begin creating trip patterns for the route.

Learn about editing trip patterns »

Tutorial Video: Editing/Creating Routes

This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of how to edit or create a route.