The ZOU! intercity network: A national reference for GTFS and NeTEx publishing

The ZOU! intercity and school network in the Sud - Provence Alpes Côtes d’Azur region is a structuring example of the advanced application of transport data interoperability standards. In a European context marked by the progressive standardization of mobility information exchanges, ZOU! stands out for its rigorous, combined implementation of GTFS, GTFS-RT and NeTEx formats.

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Structured, standards-compliant data governance

ZOU! is one of the few French regional networks to regularly publish its theoretical and real-time data in several standardized formats. While GTFS is still widely used for user-oriented route planners (Navitia, Bonjour RATP…), the adoption of NeTEx addresses more structural issues: European interoperability, fine-tuned network structuring, integration into NAPs (National Access Points), etc. This dual approach reflects an in-depth understanding of the differing purposes of the formats, between operational use and strategic planning.

Technical highlights

Among the best practices observed

• Production of versioned files with temporal validity monitoring
• Integration of school circuits in the modeling, with public exposure
• Strict alignment with the NeTEx France profile
• Consistency between GTFS, GTFS-RT and NeTEx flows on shared objects

This ability to manage data as a shared information asset positions ZOU! as a benchmark in terms of digital maturity for regional organizing authorities.

A replicable framework for other territories?

ZOU! demonstrates the feasibility of a unified data chain, aligned with European and national standardization requirements. Its implementation can serve as a basis for strategic thinking for intercity, metropolitan or departmental networks wishing to :

• pool their flows to different partner ISs,
• improve service quality for users,
• and prepare for future regulatory obligations (cf. MMTIS regulations).

ZOU! thus offers a reproducible model for more robust, inclusive transport data governance, geared towards large-scale interoperability.