How to Use the MTA MCP in Claude

Q: Can I track LIRR and Metro-North trains with this?

Yes. The server includes getlirrfeed and getmetronorthfeed. You can ask for real-time positions, arrival estimates at Grand Central or Penn Station, and any reported delays on the commuter lines.

Q: What's the best way to find a bus stop ID for the MTA tools in Claude Desktop?

Use the getbusstops tool. Just ask Claude, 'List all stops on the B46 route.' It will return a list of stops with their names and IDs, which you can then use with getbuspredictions.

Get real-time NYC transit answers in Claude Desktop. Track subways, buses, and commuter rail without leaving your chat.

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Connect MTA MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect MTA to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup MTA with Claude Desktop

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Never miss another train

This tool connects Claude to the MTA's live feeds for subways and commuter rail. You just ask if your train is on time, and your agent checks the `get_subway_feed`, `get_lirr_feed`, or `get_metro_north_feed` for a straight answer. No more deciphering those confusing MTA apps or websites. Your agent gets the raw data—train positions, schedule changes, and delays. So when you ask, "Is the 5:42 PM LIRR from Penn Station delayed?" you get the ground truth. It's perfect for knowing whether you need to run or can grab a coffee.

Know exactly when the bus is coming

Stop guessing when the bus will show up. With this MCP server, you can ask Claude to check the live bus timers for any stop in the city. It uses `get_bus_predictions` to pull the same data the countdown clocks use. Your agent can also get more specific details with `get_bus_estimated_arrival` if you only care about one route. Just ask, "When's the next M15 at 23rd and 2nd?" and get a real answer instead of staring down the street hoping to see headlights.

Dodge delays before you leave

The `get_service_alerts` tool is your heads-up display for MTA meltdowns. Before you even walk out the door, you can ask Claude if there are problems on your line. Your agent will check for any reported disruptions, from signal problems to police activity. This isn't just a simple status check. The tool pulls details on which stations are affected and why. It lets you plan an alternate route before you're stuck on a crowded platform. It's the difference between a smooth commute and a frustrating one.

Setup guide

Set up MTA MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The MTA MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the MTA MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under mta-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mta-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

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Common questions about MTA MCP in Claude Desktop

Once you install this MCP server, just open a new chat and ask a question about NYC transit. For example, 'Are there any delays on the 4 train?' or 'When is the next bus at stop 12345?' Claude will automatically use the right tool.

Yes. The server includes `get_lirr_feed` and `get_metro_north_feed`. You can ask for real-time positions, arrival estimates at Grand Central or Penn Station, and any reported delays on the commuter lines.

Use the `get_bus_stops` tool. Just ask Claude, 'List all stops on the B46 route.' It will return a list of stops with their names and IDs, which you can then use with `get_bus_predictions`.

They work on both, but the setup is different. For the desktop app, you configure it to run locally. For the website, you'll need to connect to this MCP server using its public Vinkius URL in your connector settings.

The server only processes your transit queries, like line names or stop IDs. It sends these to the official MTA API and returns the results to your agent. No personal data, location history, or chat logs are ever stored or seen by Vinkius.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

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