What is GTFS Flex?
GTFS Flex is an extension to the standard GTFS specification designed to represent on-demand and flexible transit services that don't follow fixed routes or schedules. While traditional GTFS works well for fixed-route services with predetermined stops and timetables, GTFS Flex allows agencies to publish data for demand-responsive services like microtransit, dial-a-ride, paratransit, deviated fixed routes, and flag stop services. It introduces new fields and files (like stop_times.txt enhancements and booking_rules.txt) that define service areas, booking requirements, pickup/drop-off flexibility windows, and service rules. This enables trip planning applications and MaaS platforms to integrate flexible services alongside traditional fixed-route transit, giving riders a more complete picture of their transportation options.
Where can I export it?
Go to the Service Planning section -> Services -> Export GTFS Flex button is at the top of the list of services. From here you can choose which services to export. This will result in a .zip file being downloaded with all the necessary information.
Where can I configure specific fields?
route_short_name | This can be found in the services settings as Service External Name. If it's filled, it's what we'll show in the rider app. It's also what third party trip planners will show to riders. |
booking_message and booking_URL | These can both be found in the service settings under "Rider Interface". In third party trip planners, these fields can direct riders to the correct place to book a trip (usually the Spare app). |
agency_name | We use the Organization Name in Spare to fill this usually. But if your organization has a name like "Agency Microtransit" and you just want it to say "Agency" then you can use this field to overwrite it. The Spare Rider App will also use this automatically. Head to Settings -> General -> Organization -> External-Facing Agency Name |
agency_phone | Head to Settings -> General -> Organization -> Agency Phone for this. This field is then included in the export and can be found in third party trip planners and is used in the Spare Rider app automatically. |
What is GTFS Flex used for?
Third-party trip planning applications use GTFS Flex data to integrate on-demand and flexible transit services into their routing algorithms, allowing riders to see and book these services alongside traditional fixed-route options.
While major platforms like Google Maps and Apple Maps do not yet support GTFS Flex, many specialized transit apps have implemented this functionality to provide comprehensive multimodal trip planning.
The Spare Rider app supports GTFS Flex by default, automatically displaying both your on-demand services and fixed-route transit in a unified trip planning experience. To enable integrated trip planning between your on-demand and fixed route services in the Spare Rider app, please reach out to your Spare Representative who can help configure your system to take full advantage of this capability.