diff --git a/gtfs/spec/en/reference.md b/gtfs/spec/en/reference.md
index b3c39ec39..6462f5b67 100644
--- a/gtfs/spec/en/reference.md
+++ b/gtfs/spec/en/reference.md
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ This specification defines the following files:
 |  [calendar.txt](#calendartxt)  | **Conditionally Required** | Service dates specified using a weekly schedule with start and end dates. <br><br>Conditionally Required:<br> - **Required** unless all dates of service are defined in [calendar_dates.txt](#calendar_datestxt).<br> - Optional otherwise. |
 |  [calendar_dates.txt](#calendar_datestxt)  | **Conditionally Required** | Exceptions for the services defined in the [calendar.txt](#calendartxt). <br><br>Conditionally Required:<br> - **Required** if [calendar.txt](#calendartxt) is omitted. In which case [calendar_dates.txt](#calendar_datestxt) must contain all dates of service. <br> - Optional otherwise. |
 |  [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt)  | Optional | Fare information for a transit agency's routes. |
-|  [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt)  | **Conditionally Required** | Rules to apply fares for itineraries.<br><br>Conditionally Required:<br>- **Required** if [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt) is defined.<br>- **Forbidden** otherwise. |
+|  [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt) | Optional | Rules to apply fares for itineraries. | 
 |  [fare_products.txt](#fare_productstxt)  | Optional | To describe the different types of tickets or fares that can be purchased by riders.<br><br>File [fare_products.txt](fare_productstxt) describes fare products that are not represented in [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt) and [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt). As such, the use of [fare_products.txt](#fare_productstxt) is entirely separate from files [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt) and [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt). |
 |  [fare_leg_rules.txt](#fare_leg_rulestxt)  | Optional | Fare rules for individual legs of travel.<br><br>File [fare_leg_rules.txt](#fare_leg_rulestxt) provides a more detailed method for modeling fare structures. As such, the use of [fare_leg_rules.txt](#fare_leg_rulestxt) is entirely separate from files [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt) and [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt). |
 |  [fare_transfer_rules.txt](#fare_transfer_rulestxt)  | Optional | Fare rules for transfers between legs of travel.<br><br>Along with [fare_leg_rules.txt](#fare_leg_rulestxt), file [fare_transfer_rules.txt](#fare_transfer_rulestxt) provides a more detailed method for modeling fare structures. As such, the use of [fare_transfer_rules.txt](#fare_transfer_rulestxt) is entirely separate from files [fare_attributes.txt](#fare_attributestxt) and [fare_rules.txt](#fare_rulestxt). |
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ There are two modelling options for describing fares. GTFS-Fares V1 is the legac
 
 ### fare_rules.txt
 
-File: **Conditionally Required**
+File: **Optional**
 
 Primary key (`*`)