How to Use the WMATA MCP in Claude

Q: How do I check WMATA bus reliability using Claude Desktop?

Run getbusincidents to see current disruptions affecting Metrobus. This tool returns the incident type, affected routes, and alternative service recommendations immediately. It’s better than just checking a schedule because it accounts for actual road closures.

Q: If I'm building an app, how do I find all WMATA bus routes using Claude Desktop?

Use the getbusroutes tool. It lists every route ID and name across the whole system—local, limited, and express services. This gives you a master list of IDs you can use for almost every other query.

Q: Can I track WMATA trains in real-time using Claude Desktop?

Yes, getnextrail provides system-wide predictions showing the destination, line color, and predicted arrival minutes. You can also use getstationprediction if you need arrivals specific to a station code.

Q: How does WMATA handle accessibility outages when using Claude Desktop?

The getelevatorincidents tool is designed specifically for this. It reports the affected station codes and whether the outage impacts general access or just specific equipment, letting you advise passengers with mobility needs properly.

Q: What kind of data does WMATA provide on parking when using Claude Desktop?

The getparkinglots tool lets you query available parking spots. You can filter by station code to know if a location like Shady Grove has space, which is essential for park-and-ride planning.

Check WMATA service status and plan trips right from Claude Desktop.

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Connect WMATA MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect WMATA 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 WMATA with Claude Desktop

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Real-Time Bus Tracking

Need to know where a bus actually is? You can get precise coordinates using `get_bus_positions`. This tool returns the vehicle ID, route ID, lat/long, and how far off schedule it is in seconds. It's perfect for building live tracking dashboards or just checking if your ride is running late. Don't forget to check system-wide issues with `get_bus_incidents`. This tells you everything from accidents to road closures, so your agent knows when to reroute the user instead of just giving a time estimate.

Full Transit Network Mapping

Planning involves more than just buses. The server lets you list all routes using `get_bus_routes`, which gives you IDs and names for local, express, and limited services. You can then feed those IDs into `get_bus_route_details` to map every stop in sequence. For the rail side, use `get_rail_stations` first; it lists all Metrorail stations, often filterable by line code (like Red or Blue). Once you have station codes, `get_station_entrances` gives you the street-level addresses and access info for planning a walk to the platform.

Service Disruption Awareness

When something breaks, you need instant data. For the train line, call `get_rail_incidents`. This reports on delays, power problems, or track maintenance across the whole system. It gives severity and estimated fix times—crucial stuff. For accessibility, use `get_elevator_incidents`. This shows current outages for escalators and elevators at stations like Gallery Place. You can't plan a journey if you don't know which exits are locked down.

Setup guide

Set up WMATA 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 WMATA 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 WMATA 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 wmata-mcp.

json

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

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by WMATA. 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 WMATA MCP in Claude Desktop

Run `get_bus_incidents` to see current disruptions affecting Metrobus. This tool returns the incident type, affected routes, and alternative service recommendations immediately. It’s better than just checking a schedule because it accounts for actual road closures.

Use the `get_bus_routes` tool. It lists every route ID and name across the whole system—local, limited, and express services. This gives you a master list of IDs you can use for almost every other query.

Yes, `get_next_rail` provides system-wide predictions showing the destination, line color, and predicted arrival minutes. You can also use `get_station_prediction` if you need arrivals specific to a station code.

The `get_elevator_incidents` tool is designed specifically for this. It reports the affected station codes and whether the outage impacts general access or just specific equipment, letting you advise passengers with mobility needs properly.

The `get_parking_lots` tool lets you query available parking spots. You can filter by station code to know if a location like Shady Grove has space, which is essential for park-and-ride planning.

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