“GTFS Workshop: Data that Moves Cities” Promotes the Use of Data to Improve Public Transportation in Mexico
More than 80 participants from different levels of government strengthened their capacities in transportation data as GIZ Mexico and MobilityData formalized their collaboration to boost the digitalization of the sector, positioning GTFS as a key tool to improve planning and the user experience.
Mexico City, April 29, 2026 – The German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) in Mexico and MobilityData held the workshop “GTFS: Data that Moves Cities” to strengthen the capacities of public institutions in the implementation of the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), key for the management, planning, and digitalization of public transportation.
On April 28, 80 representatives of federal and state authorities, as well as technical stakeholders in the mobility sector, came together to participate in practical sessions designed to promote the use of open and standardized data in decision-making.
During the event, strategic topics were addressed to advance towards more efficient and evidence-based transportation systems, including:
- The importance of data for public transportation planning
- The practical implementation of the GTFS standard
- Experiences and lessons learned in different cities
- Institutional and technical challenges for its adoption
As part of the program, the collaboration agreement between GIZ Mexico and MobilityData was reaffirmed, with the aim of promoting digitalization strategies in the transportation sector.
The opening session included the participation of representatives from both organizations and the Federal Government, who highlighted the role of data in the transformation of the sector, as well as the importance of international cooperation to strengthen institutional capacities.
“GIZ promotes sustainable solutions through international partnerships and cooperation. In sustainable mobility, data is essential: without clear and accessible information, public transportation cannot be properly planned. Digitalization is a means to make better decisions and offer services that meet people’s real needs,” said Johanna Beate Wysluch, director of the Sustainable Cities and Transportation program at GIZ Mexico.
“When we announced our collaboration with GIZ earlier this year, we spoke about this being a launching pad for deeper engagement in Latin America. Today’s workshop is proof of that commitment in action,” said Élisabeth Poirer-Defoy, Executive Director of MobilityData. “Seeing government representatives from across Mexico engage with GTFS, from understanding its fundamentals to working with it hands-on, reinforces why this kind of capacity building is so essential. MobilityData is proud to deepen our partnership with GIZ and remain a long-term partner in building stronger transit data practices across Mexico and Latin America.”
“Data is not just information; it is a tool that allows people to study, work, and travel more safely on public transportation. Today, we face a significant gap in the design of our mobility systems, largely linked to the lack of structured and accessible data. Mobility is a right, and guaranteeing it implies moving toward better integration between territorial planning and public transportation, systematically incorporating data and information into urbanization processes,” said Paola Gómez, Director of Mobility and Road Safety at the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development (SEDATU)
Participating institutions included:
- Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT)
- Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transportation (ATTRAPI)
- Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU)
Representatives from various states also participated, including: Mexico State, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Baja California and Coahuila, among others.
Exchange of Experiences and Practical Training
The workshop included a panel discussion in which local authorities shared their progress, challenges, and recommendations regarding the implementation of GTFS in their territories.
Following this, a practical session was held, focused on providing concrete tools to facilitate the adoption of the standard, enabling participants to advance their understanding and application of standardized data.
About the Cooperation
The collaboration between GIZ and MobilityData aims to promote the use of open standards and strengthen the technical capacities of public institutions, fostering innovation and continuous improvement in public transportation.
This workshop is part of GIZ’s efforts in Mexico to promote more efficient, accessible, and evidence-based public transportation systems, contributing to improving the quality of life for users. This is within the framework of the project “Transition to an Integrated and Intelligent Public Transportation System (TranSIT),” commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
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.
Media Contact
MobilityData
Shea Angus
Communications Advisor
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GIZ Mexico
Marco Garcia
Communications, Visibility, and Knowledge Management Advisor
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