GIZ and MobilityData Join Forces to Expand GTFS Adoption in Mexico and Latin America
Strategic Alliance to Co-Host Mobility Data Workshop and Support GTFS Capacity-building in the Region
March 4, 2025 — MobilityData and GIZ Mexico are pleased to jointly announce a new strategic alliance to advance the adoption of the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS). The collaboration begins with a mobility data workshop in Mexico, laying the groundwork for MobilityData’s broader engagement in Latin America, including Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.
This alliance is within the framework of the “Transition towards an Integrated, Accessible and Smart Public Transport System in Mexico (TranSIT)” project, implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany. TranSIT aims to strengthen the strategic and operational foundations for integrated, intelligent, and climate-friendly public transportation in Mexican cities.
As part of the TranSIT project, GIZ is supporting a Spanish-language GTFS workshop in Mexico City in partnership with MobilityData, the international non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting open data standards for transportation.
MobilityData works to improve the interoperability, quality, and availability of mobility information worldwide, helping agencies adopt standardized data practices that enable more efficient, accessible, and sustainable transit systems.
“We’re thrilled to partner with GIZ on this initiative to advance GTFS education and adoption in Mexico and throughout Latin America,” said Élisabeth Poirier-Defoy, Deputy Executive Director of MobilityData. “This collaboration is a launching pad for deeper engagement within the region, allowing us to deliver education, training, and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen transit data practices in Mexico and beyond. Hosting the event in Spanish ensures it’s accessible and meaningful for local stakeholders and marks the start of MobilityData’s sustained engagement with Latin American transit systems.”
“By partnering with MobilityData, we are combining our local experience, resources, and networks with their expertise in open transit data standards. This collaboration allows us to build capacity for GTFS in Mexico, support the adoption of standardized transit data practices, and empower local stakeholders with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to create more efficient, accessible, and sustainable public transportation systems”, said Isabel von Griesheim, Director of the TranSIT project.
This strategic alliance enables GIZ Mexico and MobilityData to:
- Develop knowledge products and training programs for mobility data users
- Facilitate exchanges and best-practice sharing among relevant stakeholders
- Promote the creation and proper use of transit data in GTFS format
- Support solutions that make public transportation more efficient, accessible, affordable, safe, and sustainable
This collaboration marks a major step toward strengthening data practices as a key component for public transportation systems in Mexico and advancing GTFS adoption across Latin America.
About MobilityData
MobilityData is the global non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of open transportation data standards. With a global membership with representation from every continent, MobilityData brings together and supports transport operators, software vendors, app developers, and government agencies to standardize and expand open data formats, such as the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) for public transport and the General Bikeshare Feed Specification (GBFS) for shared mobility. Learn more about our commitment to better transportation through data at mobilitydata.org.
About GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is a German organization that works globally to promote sustainable development. It collaborates with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to implement projects that improve quality of life, foster education, protect the environment, and support economies in different countries. Its goal is to find innovative and effective solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges, thereby contributing to a fairer and more sustainable future for all. Successful cooperation between Germany and Mexico dates to the 1970s. Since then, GIZ has advised the Mexican government and other decision-makers.
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Shea Angus
Communication Advisor
Marco Garcia
Communications Specialist
