How to Use the TransportAPI MCP in VS Code Copilot

Q: How do I use TransportAPI with VS Code Copilot for journey planning?

Use getjourneyplan. Just feed it the start and end locations. The MCP Server handles the multimodal complexity, delivering a structured itinerary showing all modes of transport, timings, and transfers directly into your code context.

Q: Can VS Code Copilot check live train departure data using TransportAPI?

Yes. getraildepartures returns everything you need: the destination, platform, scheduled time, real-time ETD, and if there are delays or cancellations for trains leaving a UK rail station.

Q: What details does TransportAPI provide about stations via VS Code Copilot?

The getstationinfo tool returns deep metadata: the full address, location coordinates, list of facilities (WiFi, ticket office), and even accessibility features. It’s a solid foundation for any team building station-centric tools.

Q: Does TransportAPI help check service disruptions with VS Code Copilot?

Definitely. The getupdates tool gathers all active alerts across bus, rail, and underground services. Your code can ingest this alert stream to proactively warn users about service interruptions.

Standardize UK transit data access across your team with TransportAPI using the MCP Server.

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Connect TransportAPI MCP to VS Code Copilot

Create your Vinkius account to connect TransportAPI to VS Code Copilot 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 with VS Code Copilot

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Get detailed rail connectivity information.

`get_rail_route` is key for understanding how trains connect. You give it two stations, and it returns available services, estimated journey duration, number of changes, and the typical frequency between them. This makes building advanced route comparison features straightforward. To list everything operating at a station, use `get_rail_services`. It provides comprehensive listings for all train operating companies calling at that specific UK rail station.

Identify and verify bus stops.

`get_stop_info` provides detailed metadata about any given bus stop. You get the location, served lines, type of stop (coach station, etc.), and accessibility features. This standardized data helps every developer on your team build accurate mapping tools. For general discovery, `search_stops` lets you find matching stops using names or landmarks, giving you the Naptan stop ID needed for other queries.

Analyze service patterns and schedules.

`get_timetable` gives you the full operational picture for a bus line. It shows all scheduled services, stops in sequence, and even how journey duration varies by time of day or if it's a weekend versus a weekday. This level of detail is essential when building complex scheduling logic that needs to account for service patterns.

Setup guide

Set up TransportAPI MCP in VS Code Copilot

Prerequisites

VS Code 1.99 or later with GitHub Copilot extension
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and run "MCP: Add Server". Select HTTP (Streamable) as the server type. VS Code will create .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.
2

Add the TransportAPI MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into your .vscode/mcp.json. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Switch to Agent mode

Open Copilot Chat (Cmd+Shift+I / Ctrl+Shift+I) and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode — they do not appear in Edit or Ask modes.
4

Verify the connection

In the Copilot Chat input, type # to list available tools. You should see the TransportAPI tools listed. Try asking: "List my recent TransportAPI transactions" and Copilot will invoke them automatically.

.vscode/mcp.json

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

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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 MCP in VS Code Copilot

Use `get_journey_plan`. Just feed it the start and end locations. The MCP Server handles the multimodal complexity, delivering a structured itinerary showing all modes of transport, timings, and transfers directly into your code context.

Yes. `get_rail_departures` returns everything you need: the destination, platform, scheduled time, real-time ETD, and if there are delays or cancellations for trains leaving a UK rail station.

The `get_station_info` tool returns deep metadata: the full address, location coordinates, list of facilities (WiFi, ticket office), and even accessibility features. It’s a solid foundation for any team building station-centric tools.

Definitely. The `get_updates` tool gathers all active alerts across bus, rail, and underground services. Your code can ingest this alert stream to proactively warn users about service interruptions.

The MCP Server manages public transit information: station coordinates, stop names, scheduled times, and real-time operational status. It never accesses private user account or payment details.

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