DRT Data Specs Working Group
DRT Data Specifications Working Group
Introduction
The Demand-Response Transportation Data Specifications Working Group is a collaborative initiative hosted by the National Rural Transit Assistance Program. We bring together public and private stakeholders to share information, discuss challenges, advance best practices, and support the development of technical standards that streamline the coordination of DRT services and improve rider access to convenient travel opportunities.
The working group has grown to over 100 participants in various capacities dedicated to furthering DRT data standards. We focus specifically on data standards relevant to rural and tribal transit agencies (although the data standards and supporting resources and tools reach beyond these geographic areas).
The working group is helping to inform a DRT Transit Data Standards Resource Directory and supporting capacity building tools.
Why Data Standards?
Data standards are foundational components of a modern transit system. While standards like the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) are already industry staples for fixed-route discovery and trip planning, others, such as the Transactional Data Specification (TDS) are still gaining traction. These other data standards, like the TDS, support different stages of a transit trip—from initial discovery to scheduling, dispatching, payment, trip confirmation, client billing, and reporting. By providing a universal manner to digitally share this information among participating entities, these standards ensure that the technology platforms used by different providers are interoperable and the solutions are replicable. This allows agencies to build upon their existing systems, increasing operational efficiency, avoiding vendor lock-in, and ultimately expanding access for all riders.
Get Involved
Our group meets bi-monthly. To participate, please reach out to our conveners:
Al Benedict Jana Lynott, AICP
Technology Tools / Community Rides Grant Program Leads Senior Transportation Planner
National RTAP Independent Transit Consultant
albenedict@nationalrtap.org jana@janalynott.com
Working Group Meetings
Upcoming Meetings
To be announced soon!
Past Meetings
March 2026
Comparing and Contrasting DRT Standards:
Santosh Mishra, President & CEO of Flexlynqs, compared and contrasted existing and developing standards, including GTFS-Flex, TDS, GOFS, and TOMP-API.
Access the slides here
USDOT MAT RSD Update:
Carol Schweiger, President, Schweiger Consulting, provided an update on the U.S. DOT Multi-modal Access for All Travelers (MAT) Reservations, Scheduling, and Dispatch (RSD) Sub-committee’s work to date and plans for 2026.
Access the slides here
A program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by the Neponset Valley TMA
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