Deprecated tools
The tools described on this page are DEPRECATED. The tools will no longer be updated, and support for them is limited. Their functionality is now available out of the box in the core ArcGIS software, so you should already have everything you need!
What are these tools, and why are they deprecated? The tools described on this page were experimental, prototype tools which we used to explore the possibilities for analysis with GTFS data in ArcGIS and to solicit feedback from the community (that means you!). They were great tools, but we don't need them anymore because we have now added equivalent functionality to the core ArcGIS software. You should already have everything you need out of the box with no need for additional downloads or installs. The tools are listed here for archival purposes for those of you who may still be using them. You are highly encouraged to use the newer core tools because they are better, faster, and easier to use.
Add GTFS to a Network Dataset
Use Add GTFS to a Network Dataset to incorporate transit data into a network dataset so you can perform schedule-aware analyses using the Network Analyst tools in ArcMap. After creating your network dataset, you can use the ArcGIS Network Analyst tools, like Service Area and OD Cost Matrix, to perform transit/pedestrian accessibility analyses, make decisions about where to locate new facilities, find populations underserved by transit or particular types of facilities, or visualize the areas reachable from your business at different times of day. You can also publish services in ArcGIS Server that use your network dataset. You can this network with the Transit Network Analysis Tools to do more complex network analysis tasks.
The Add GTFS to a Network Dataset tool suite consists of a toolbox to pre-process the GTFS data to prepare it for use in the network dataset, a custom GTFS transit evaluator you must install that helps the network dataset read the GTFS schedules, some utility tools to help you examine and debug your network, and a user's guide to help you set up your network dataset and run analyses.
This functionality is available out of the box in Network Analyst in ArcGIS Pro 2.4 and later.
BetterBusBuffers
Use BetterBusBuffers to map the frequency of public transit service available across your city. The tools in this toolset use GTFS public transit data and ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro to count the number of transit trips available during a time window at stops, at specific points of interest, in areas within walking distance of stops, or along specific corridors. Transit agencies could use this toolset for a more sophisticated measure of transit access when creating their Title VI reports. Check out this blog post for screenshots and sample analyses.
You can perform the same analysis using the Calculate Transit Service Frequency tool in ArcGIS Pro 2.9 or higher.
Display GTFS in ArcGIS
Use Display GTFS in ArcGIS to visualize your GTFS stops and route shapes in ArcMap. The Display GTFS Stops tool makes a feature class of stops using information from the GTFS stops.txt file. The Display GTFS Route shapes tool converts the information from the GTFS routes.txt and shapes.txt files into an ArcGIS feature class, allowing you to view your transit lines on a map.
The same functionality is available in ArcGIS Pro 2.2 or higher using the GTFS Stops To Features and GTFS Shapes To Features tools.
Generate GTFS Shapes
The Generate GTFS Shapes toolbox produces a new shapes.txt file for your GTFS dataset or allows you to edit an existing one. The optional GTFS shapes.txt file contains the actual on-street paths taken by transit vehicles in your system. A good shapes.txt file is important in order for GTFS-based routing apps to display transit routes correctly on the map. This blog post explains more about why you should have a shapes.txt file and how you can use this tool to create one. Generate GTFS Shapes is targeted primarily toward transit agencies seeking to improve their GTFS datasets.
You can accomplish the same workflow using the Generate Shapes Features From GTFS and Features To GTFS Shapes tools in ArcGIS Pro 2.6 or higher.
Edit GTFS Stop Locations
The Edit GTFS Stop Locations toolbox allows you to import your GTFS stops.txt file to ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro, use the ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro editing tools to update stop locations or attributes, and export the edits to an updated stops.txt file.
You can accomplish the same workflow using the GTFS Stops To Features and Features To GTFS Stops tools in ArcGIS Pro 2.2 or higher.
Interpolate Blank Stop Times
The Interpolate Blank Stop Times toolset is a utility for estimating arrival_time and departure_time values that have been left blank in the stop_times.txt GTFS file. Although blank values are allowed in valid GTFS datasets, actual or estimated times are required for certain types of analysis, particularly if you intend to use the (now-deprecated) Add GTFS to a Network Dataset or BetterBusBuffers toolboxes. You can use this tool to create a new stop_times.txt file with the blank values filled in with estimates.
The "Interpolate blank stop times" parameter on the GTFS To Public Transit Data Model tool in ArcGIS Pro fills in blank stop time values automatically when processing data. Consequently, you do not need to preprocess your GTFS data prior to using it in ArcGIS Pro. The "Interpolate blank stop times" parameter is available starting in ArcGIS Pro 2.5. Note that the GTFS To Public Transit Data Model tool was called GTFS To Network Dataset Transit Sources in versions prior to ArcGIS Pro 2.9, when it was renamed.