Data API & Resource Center
Data Resource Center
AC Transit provides bus data regarding schedules, stops and routes. This information is for individuals interested in supporting the use of AC Transit services through the development of web-based applications or other technologies. It is also for anyone who just wants to view AC Transit routes and stops in geographic software applications such as Google Earth. Information about the data and terms for its use are discussed below.
Terms and Conditions of Use
AC Transit requests a review of the Terms and Conditions of Use by third party developers, consultants or interested parties prior to accessing a ‘data folder’. Here is a link to those Terms and Conditions. Individuals can also find the link to the Terms and Conditions document from the appropriate data download pages.
Schedule, Route and Stop Data
Schedule, route and stop data is available to third party developers in a variety of formats. Before selecting and downloading any data, please review the description and links indicated below.
AC Transit is not responsible for the accuracy of these files. This data may or may not exactly match what is displayed in other systems utilizing AC Transit schedule, stop and route data such as 511.org or the AC Transit website.
Data is currently available for the December 15, 2024 service change.
General Transit Feed Specification
The General Transit Feed Specification originally developed by Google or ‘GTFS’ defines a common format for public transportation schedules and associated geographic information data. AC Transit Service Development Department generates this data for Google to process at least 3 times per year for use in their Transit Trip Planner. This specification describes the details of this common format that is now used among transit data users.
Click here to download.
Application Program Interface
AC Transit is eager to provide our real time data to ensure that everyone can be as informed as possible when it comes to vehicle delays and trip planning. This data is provided in two formats: GTFS-Realtime and our application programming interfaces.
Bus Route GIS Shape files
The District maintains geographic shape file information for each bus route according to the ESRI’s ArcGIS file format standard. This route shape data was created in the geographic coordinate system GCS_WGS84 format. It contains a concatenated version of all trip patterns for every route by direction respectively (including weekday and weekend). A zipped file of the route shape was created for easy download and it also contains an XML file describing the content of the shape file.
Questions and comments about GIS files should be directed via email to: planning@actransit.org. While we cannot promise to respond to every comment, we’ll try to answer questions you may have on the data. Help us help you by providing as much detail as possible for your query.
Bus Stop GIS Data Shape Files
AC Transit maintains a bus stop network of approximately 5600 bus stops. The GIS shape files indicate the location of each stop, regional real-time bus ID # as well as other attributes. This data file does not reflect what time of day the stop may have bus service or by what route. Metadata about the stop data files is also included in the data folder.
Questions and comments about GIS files should be directed via email to: planning@actransit.org. While we cannot promise to respond to every comment, we’ll try to answer questions you may have on the data. Help us help you by providing as much detail as possible for your query.
511.org Data Files and Real-time Departure Information
511 provides several data feeds for developers who’d like to create applications, widgets, and other tools using 511 data. All data sources and tools are free-of-charge. In addition to an export of static data, these sources include real-time departure data and a 511 transit data feed.
Open Data Portal
For public data regarding AC Transit performance, schedules, and more, visit the Open Data Portal.
For public records, you can search existing public records or request new records here.
Mobile Apps and Websites
AC Transit has a mobile app! Use the mobile app to track your next bus, plan your trip, submit feedback, receive alerts and even pay for mobile fares. Download the AC Transit mobile app.
In addition to a specially designed version of the AC Transit site for mobile devices, numerous apps and websites have been developed on Android and iOS to help make riding AC Transit easier.
Senate Bill 2721 Section 6270.5
Link to Senate Bill 2721
6270.5.
(a) In implementing this chapter, each local agency, except a local educational agency, shall create a catalog of enterprise systems. The catalog shall be made publicly available upon request in the office of the person or officer designated by the agency’s legislative body. The catalog shall be posted in a prominent location on the local agency’s Internet Web site, if the agency has an Internet Web site. The catalog shall disclose a list of the enterprise systems utilized by the agency and, for each system, shall also disclose all of the following:
(1) Current system vendor.
(2) Current system product.
(3) A brief statement of the system’s purpose.
(4) A general description of categories or types of data.
(5) The department that serves as the system’s primary custodian.
(6) How frequently system data is collected.
(7) How frequently system data is updated.
(b) This section shall not be interpreted to limit a person’s right to inspect public records pursuant to this chapter.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Enterprise system” means a software application or computer system that collects, stores, exchanges, and analyzes information that the agency uses that is both of the following:
(A) A multidepartmental system or a system that contains information collected about the public.
(B) A system of record.
(2) “System of record” means a system that serves as an original source of data within an agency.
(3) An enterprise system shall not include any of the following:(A) Information technology security systems, including firewalls and other cybersecurity systems.
(B) Physical access control systems, employee identification management systems, video monitoring, and other physical control systems.
(C) Infrastructure and mechanical control systems, including those that control or manage street lights, electrical, natural gas, or water or sewer functions.
(D) Systems related to 911 dispatch and operation or emergency services.
(E) Systems that would be restricted from disclosure pursuant to Section 6254.19.
(F) The specific records that the information technology system collects, stores, exchanges, or analyzes.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit public access to records held by an agency to which access is otherwise restricted by statute or to alter the process for requesting public records, as set forth in this chapter.
(e) If, on the facts of the particular case, the public interest served by not disclosing the information described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure of the record, the local agency may instead provide a system name, brief title, or identifier of the system.
(f) The local agency shall complete and post the catalog required by this section by July 1, 2016, and thereafter shall update the catalog annually.
AC Transit’s new real-time information technology provides you with precise real-time bus locations and departure predictions for every AC Transit stop.
With ACT RealTime, AC Transit buses report their location every fifteen seconds—eight times more frequently than previous software. Find out how you can access ACT RealTime information, how ACT RealTime works, and more below.
Where can I find ACT RealTime information?
- Check your computer for ACT RealTime predictions and an interactive map which shows you the real-time location of your bus.
- Use your smart phone to view ACT RealTime information optimized for small screens. Add this page to your home screen so you can access ACT RealTime information with one tap.
- Call 511 and say “Departure Times” to request a real-time departure prediction. For faster service, have your bus stop ID number ready. If you don’t know the ID number, you will be prompted to use the automated backup help system to hear your departure time and learn your bus stop ID number.
- Check electronic at-stop signs and audio. Available at select locations.
- Use Google Maps to plan a trip with real-time information taken into account.
- Find a third-party app which accesses ACT RealTime data. AC Transit is not affiliated with any of the listed applications. If you do choose to download one of the listed apps, please review each app’s Terms and Conditions.
Bus Stop ID Program
When accessing ACT RealTime data, you can get your information faster by using bus stop ID numbers. Each stop is assigned a unique five-digit number to use as a short-cut when making a real-time information request. Bus Stop ID numbers are posted at all AC Transit bus stops.
Why did AC Transit introduce ACT RealTime?
Guided by customer feedback and our commitment to improve your experience, AC Transit launched cutting-edge upgrades to deliver a world-class transit network. These improvements include installing state-of-the-art technology on almost 650 coaches, updating software on more than 100 electronic at-stop signs, and pushing more reliable data to dozens of digital and on-line transit channels.
AC Transit consistently works to provide you with a better rider experience; ACT RealTime is just one more step in that journey. Please help us continue to innovate by sharing your feedback on ACT RealTime.
How does ACT RealTime work?
ACT RealTime uses data from many sources including real-time bus locations, route information, and service notices to predict when each AC Transit bus will reach every stop on its line. The AC Transit website, third-party apps, 511 and other channels can access these predictions along with other information through the AC Transit API (application programming interface) to show you where your bus is and when it will arrive at your stop.
I am a developer. Can I access ACT RealTime data?
Yes—access is free! Read the AC Transit API documentation here.