# GTFS Static Overview

The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), also known as *GTFS static* or *static transit*
to differentiate it from the [GTFS realtime extension](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs-realtime), defines a common format for
public transportation schedules and associated geographic information. GTFS
"feeds" let public transit agencies publish their transit data and
developers write applications that consume that data in an interoperable way.

### How do I start?

1. Take a look at the [GTFS examples](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/examples).
2. Create your own feeds using the [reference](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/reference) as a guide.
3. Test your feed using [validation tools](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/guides/tools).
4. Publish your feed, as [described in the Help Center](https://support.google.com/transitpartners/answer/1111577).

### Overview of a GTFS feed

A GTFS feed is composed of a series of text files collected in a ZIP
file. Each file models a particular aspect of transit information: stops,
routes, trips, and other schedule data. The details of each file are
defined in the [GTFS reference](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/reference).

An example feed can be found in the [GTFS
examples](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/examples). A transit agency can produce a GTFS feed to share their
public transit information with developers, who write tools that consume
GTFS feeds to incorporate public transit information into their
applications. GTFS can be used to power trip planners, time table
publishers, and a variety of applications, too diverse to list here, that
use public transit information in some way.

### Making a Transit feed publicly available

Many applications are compatible with data in the GTFS format. The
simplest way to make a feed public is to host it on a web server and publish
an announcement that makes it available for use.

A list of transit agencies who provide public feeds is available on the
[GoogleTransitDataFeed project site](http://code.google.com/p/googletransitdatafeed/wiki/PublicFeeds).

### Submitting a Transit feed to Google

If you're at a public agency that oversees public transportation for your
city, you can use the GTFS specification to provide schedules and
geographic information to Google Maps and other Google applications that
show transit information.

If you provide a transportation service that is open to the public, and operates with fixed schedules
and routes, we welcome your participation; it is
[simple and available at no charge](https://support.google.com/transitpartners/answer/1111471).

### Getting help

To participate in discussions around GTFS realtime and suggest changes and
additions to the specification, join the
[GTFS realtime discussion group](http://groups.google.com/group/gtfs-realtime).

Additional resources are available on the [Community page](https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/community).

If you have questions about the Google Transit Partners program, contact
[Google support](https://support.google.com/transitpartners/gethelp).