Announcements

National Transit Database Reporting Changes and Clarifications

Published on: March 17, 2023

 

In March, FTA initiated significant changes to how transit agencies and organizations report data to the National Transit Database (NTD) in order to expand the NTD to become an even more comprehensive resource on ridership, route information, emergency preparedness, and sustainable fleet information. The changes follow a process of collecting input and issuing a final notice.

• New Sample-Based Monthly Data. FTA will now collect data from a sample set of nationwide modal reporters for key transit service metrics in calendar year 2023. FTA will collect seven days of ridership data per month, allowing FTA to forecast national ridership trends more quickly. FTA also extended the reporting window to seven business days.
• General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS). FTA will now collect GTFS data for all agencies offering fixed routes, which was previously voluntary, to facilitate the transfer of transit service data for mobile applications. Agencies must now maintain at least one web link for GTFS data in report year (RY) 2023, and applicable reporters must certify their web links are updated annually starting in RY 2024.
• Collecting Geospatial Data for Demand Response Modes. For demand response operators, FTA will now collect geospatial data (rather than specific route data). FTA will collect data through responses to a series of questions from full, reduced, tribal, and rural NTD reporters in RY 2023.
• Emergency Contact Information. FTA will now require agencies to submit emergency contact information for internal FTA use to facilitate and improve rapid communication during emergencies in RY 2023. This requirement will only apply to reporting agencies, not contractors.
• Expanded Fuel Type Reporting. FTA will expand fuel type reporting for tribal, rural, and capital asset-only reporters, which was already required for full and reduced reporters, effective in RY 2023. This will expand tracking of zero- and low-emission vehicles, allowing FTA to measure sustainability goals more broadly across all service providers.

Learn more in the Federal Register Notice: NTD Reporting Changes and Clarifications as well as the Federal Register Notice: Response to NTD Reporting Changes and Clarifications.

Links:
National Transit Database
Federal Register Notice: NTD Reporting Changes and Clarifications
Federal Register Notice: Response to NTD Reporting Changes and Clarifications
National Transit Database Reporting Changes and Clarifications Docket