How Good is Trufi Transport Data? Good Enough for MobilityDatabase

One of Trufi’s superpowers is generating digitized transport data. We’ve been doing this since before there was a Trufi Association; when there was only the first Trufi app. We boast that we can create transport data places where such data is difficult to create, sustain, and validate.

We’re good at it. But how good?

We just published a data set created for Trujillo, Peru in the global MobilityDatabase repository, managed by MobilityData. And MobilityData has high standards; the data must meet stringent quality standards, including validation of structure, error-free formatting, and proper URL maintenance. The acceptance of our data means the feed is not only accurate but also sustainable for long-term use.

This is a significant step forward, not just for Trufi, but for the city of Trujillo and the growing network of urban transport ecosystems powered by open data.

The format of the data is the international standard — the open standard — called GTFS: General Transit Feed Specification. And usually this transport data begins it’s journey in another open data source: OpenStreetMap (OSM). We convert OSM data into GTFS.

Why This Matters

Being part of this globally recognized repository provides numerous advantages:

• Global Visibility: MobilityDatabase is a trusted resource for transit planners, researchers, and application developers worldwide. Listing here puts Trujillo’s transport network on the map — literally and figuratively.
• Quality Assurance: The feed underwent thorough validation, reflecting Trufi’s commitment to delivering high-quality, usable data.
• Enhanced Impact: Our data can now be integrated with other groundbreaking tools, such as the ITDP Mobility Atlas, a platform that analyzes the accessibility of public transport systems. This opens the door for greater insights into Trujillo’s mobility and its role in sustainable development.

A Team Effort in Trujillo

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our team working on the ground in Trujillo, Peru. Their hard work in creating, refining, and validating the GTFS feed has set a high bar for our future endeavors.

Why Now? The Path to MobilityDatabase

You might wonder why this is our first GTFS feed to be uploaded to MobilityDatabase. The answer lies in a combination of opportunity, necessity, and timing:

• Project-Driven Requirement: Our work in Trujillo required us to submit the feed to MobilityDatabase. This marked a unique moment where the platform’s capabilities aligned with our project needs.
• Validation Standards: MobilityDatabase employs a robust validation tool to check GTFS files for structure and functionality. Meeting these standards demonstrates the excellence of our work.
• Improved Usability: MobilityDatabase recently upgraded its platform, simplifying the submission process. This user-friendly update allowed us to upload and manage our GTFS data more efficiently than ever before.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Reach

The publication of Trujillo’s GTFS feed is just the beginning. We’re already planning to add more feeds, such as those we’ve generated for Cochabamba, Bolivia, to the MobilityDatabase. Each addition will amplify our impact, enabling cities and regions to leverage our data for better transit planning, accessibility analysis, and sustainable mobility solutions.

Calling All Cities Without GTFS

At Trufi, we pride ourselves on a unique capability: generating GTFS feeds in cities where none exist. This “superpower” empowers cities to digitize their formal transport, but also to professionalize informal transport (a.k.a. paratransit or popular transport) — treating it as the vital and locally relevant system it is.

With our GTFS services we provide a foundation for informed decision-making and innovative solutions that meet to local needs.

When Communities, Data, and Technology Come Together

The publication of Trujillo’s GTFS feed is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and dedication. It highlights what’s possible when communities, data, and technology come together to create transformative change. We invite you to explore the MobilityDatabase GTFS feed for Trujillo and learn more about the ITDP Mobility Atlas, which now includes our data.