How to Use the TransportAPI Alternative MCP in LlamaIndex

Q: How do I check bus timetables with TransportAPI Alternative and LlamaIndex?

Use the getbusroutetimetable tool. The resulting schedule data can be indexed into a vector store, allowing you to query specific dates or routes for semantic search.

Q: Can I find nearby stops and index that data with TransportAPI Alternative and LlamaIndex?

Yes, use getnearbybusstops first. The location data it returns can be indexed alongside GPS coordinates for powerful spatial querying in your knowledge base.

Q: What if I need price comparison data with TransportAPI Alternative and LlamaIndex?

You run gettrainfares to get ticket prices between two stations. Indexing this output lets users query, 'What was the cost of a journey from London Bridge last month?'

Q: Does the MCP Server help with postcodes for LlamaIndex?

The gettransportbypostcode tool is perfect here. It finds transport options when only given a postcode, and that structured result can be added to your index.

Augment your knowledge base with LlamaIndex using the TransportAPI Alternative MCP Server.

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Connect TransportAPI Alternative MCP to LlamaIndex

Create your Vinkius account to connect TransportAPI Alternative to LlamaIndex 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 TransportAPI Alternative with LlamaIndex

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MCP Server: Journey Planning

Run `plan_public_transport_journey` to get step-by-step routes and times. The output is perfect for indexing because it’s structured data—a sequence of steps, transfers, and timings. The index now contains factual travel paths. Later queries can retrieve 'How do I get from X to Y?' based on past API results, not just general documents.

Real-Time Departure Indexing

Use `get_live_bus_departures` and `get_live_train_departures`. These tools pull live data (times, destinations) which you can index. This lets your RAG application answer questions like 'When was the last departure from King's Cross?' based on real API calls.

Searchable Station & Service Details

Need to know about a specific train line? Call `get_train_service_details` for its calling pattern. You can index this schema, making the full service history searchable. Similarly, use `search_transport_places` to build an index of station names and types, allowing semantic searches like 'Find me major railway hubs.'

Setup guide

Set up TransportAPI Alternative MCP in LlamaIndex

Prerequisites

Python 3.10+ installed
llama-index-tools-mcp package
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Install dependencies
Run pip install llama-index-tools-mcp llama-index-llms-openai. The MCP tools package provides BasicMCPClient and McpToolSpec.
2

Connect with BasicMCPClient
Point BasicMCPClient to your Vinkius endpoint URL. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. Supports SSE and Streamable HTTP transports.
3

Convert to LlamaIndex tools
Call mcp_tool_spec.to_tool_list_async() to convert all TransportAPI Alternative MCP tools into native FunctionTool objects that any LlamaIndex agent can use.
4

Run with any LLM
Create a FunctionAgent with the tools and your preferred LLM. Swap OpenAI for Anthropic, Gemini, or any LlamaIndex-supported provider.

agent.py

from llama_index.tools.mcp import BasicMCPClient, McpToolSpec
from llama_index.core.agent.workflow import FunctionAgent
from llama_index.llms.openai import OpenAI

# Connect to the MCP
mcp_client = BasicMCPClient(
    "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
)
mcp_tool_spec = McpToolSpec(client=mcp_client)

# Convert MCP tools to LlamaIndex tools
tools = await mcp_tool_spec.to_tool_list_async()

# Create and run the agent
agent = FunctionAgent(
    tools=tools,
    llm=OpenAI(model="gpt-4o"),
    system_prompt="You have access to TransportAPI Alternative tools.",
)
response = await agent.run("List recent TransportAPI Alternative data")

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Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by TransportAPI. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about TransportAPI Alternative MCP in LlamaIndex

Use the `get_bus_route_timetable` tool. The resulting schedule data can be indexed into a vector store, allowing you to query specific dates or routes for semantic search.

Yes, use `get_nearby_bus_stops` first. The location data it returns can be indexed alongside GPS coordinates for powerful spatial querying in your knowledge base.

You run `get_train_fares` to get ticket prices between two stations. Indexing this output lets users query, 'What was the cost of a journey from London Bridge last month?'

The `get_transport_by_postcode` tool is perfect here. It finds transport options when only given a postcode, and that structured result can be added to your index.

It handles public transit schedule data, including bus routes, train timetables (`get_bus_route_timetable`), and live departure times. No personal identifying information is stored or passed.

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