Which NeTEx and SIRI profiles do the Belgian Public Transport Operators use?

Which NeTEx and SIRI profiles do the Belgian Public Transport Operators use?

The data registered by Belgian Public Transport Operators (PTOs) on Transportdata.be exists in NeTEx and SIRI formats. They are standards that define the technical specifications for the exchange of public transportation data.

How do NeTEx and SIRI work together?

NeTEx is primarily used to exchange static data, such as routes, stops, and scheduled timetables. SIRI enables the exchange of real-time information, including delays, service disruptions, and vehicle locations.

The two standards are complementary: SIRI data streams can reference the lines, stops, and travels described in the NeTEx files. The use of consistent identifiers makes it possible to link real-time information to static data. Using them side by side thus makes it possible to combine planned information with real-time information, when the latter is available.

In addition, NeTEx (CEN/TS 16614) and SIRI (CEN/TS 15531) are very comprehensive standards that offer several ways to represent the same information. This is why “profiles” exist. These profiles determine how NeTEx and SIRI are applied by defining a common set of rules and mandatory elements for various specific contexts. This helps ensure a certain degree of harmonization and interoperability among the data used. The European regulation for MMTIS ((EU) 2017/1926 and (EU) 2024/490) also provides for the use of minimum European profiles or national profiles.

What specific profiles are used in Belgium?

Belgium has adopted the European profiles defined by CEN (see table below) and does not have a specific national profile. This makes data from Belgian public transit operators more easily usable by reusers who are familiar with these European profiles.

Here is a brief summary of the profiles used and the data to which they apply :

Profile

Standard / technical spefication

Covered data types

EPIP (European Passenger Information Profile)

NeTEx – CEN/TS 16614-4: 2026

 

Network, lines, stops, scheduled timetables

 

EPIAP (European Passenger Information Accessibility Profile)

NeTEx – CEN/TS 16614-6:2024

 

Accessibility of site(s) and on vehicle-site

 

EPIP-RT (Passenger Real-Time Information European Profile) *

SIRI – CEN/TS 15531-7:2025

 

Estimated timetables (SIRI-ET), disruptions and incidents (SIRI-SX), vehicle monitoring (SIRI-VM), monitoring station facilities (SIRI-FM)

 

* The EPIP-RT feed is currently being tested and is scheduled to be released by the end of 2026.

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