Local authority requirements
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NaPTAN stop data
The Bus Open Data Regulations include a statutory requirement for local transport authorities to maintain and update data in the National Public Transport Access Node (NaPTAN) dataset for bus stops and stations. In practice, this means data staff at the local transport authorities will need to update the Department for Transport database when new bus stops are added, temporary stops are added or bus stops are either moved or removed.
Local transport authorities will also have a statutory duty to ensure that the National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN) data is accurate and up to date for their local area. Many local transport authorities are already voluntarily fulfilling this role however the Public Service Vehicle Open Data Regulations will now mandate this data to be provided from 07 January 2020 and no later than 31 December 2020. The Department for Transport would strongly encourage local transport authorities to begin reviewing their NaPTAN datasets and addressing any data quality issues, before the requirements come into effect next year.
DfT support
In preparation of the statutory requirements that will be coming into action next year. The DfT is offering a free service whereby local authorities can get in contact with bodshelpdesk@kpmg.co.uk, to request a spreadsheet that contains potential NaPTAN corrections for the areas that you are responsible for.
The potential corrections involve a three-step process: (1) cross referencing the NaPTAN database with Passengers Bus Stop Checker and looking for differences in the bearing data; (2) the algorithm then interacts with Google APIs to further check street names. Finally, (3) a manual sample is performed, removing any potential corrections that are likely due to naming conventions from different sources of data rather than improvements to the dataset.