• LIVE DATA
  • MULTI-MODAL
  • PLANNING
  • HUMAN

How to predict CTA arrival times with your AI

Connect the CTA MCP to your agent to get live transit updates. Once connected, you can ask for arrival times just like you're texting a friend.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I find out when my bus or train is coming?

Your AI pulls live data from the CTA to give you a minute-by-minute countdown for your specific stop. You'll see exactly how much time you have left for both buses and trains.

Where your data lands.

Real-time transit updates.

The AI handles the data fetching so you can focus on your commute.

LIVE DATA

Instant countdowns

The AI pulls live arrival data to give you a minute-by-minute countdown for your specific stop.

MULTI-MODAL

Buses and trains

Whether you are waiting for a Blue Line train or a bus on Clark Street, the AI tracks both.

PLANNING

Smart departure alerts

Ask your agent when you should leave your current location to catch a specific route without waiting on the platform.

HUMAN

Manual route checks

If a route is completely suspended or a station is closed, you'll need to check the official CTA website for service alerts.

The workflow

What your AI does when the ride arrives.

The AI acts as your personal transit dispatcher by pulling live data from the CTA system.

  1. Identify your stop

    You tell the AI which stop or route you are looking for, and it identifies the correct location in the transit network.

    get_bus_predictionsget_train_arrivals

  2. Fetch live data

    The agent queries the live transit feeds to find the most recent position of your bus or train.

    get_bus_predictionsget_train_arrivals

  3. Calculate wait time

    The AI processes the raw arrival data to determine exactly how many minutes remain until the vehicle reaches your stop.

    get_bus_predictionsget_train_arrivals

  4. Deliver the update

    Your agent presents the countdown in plain English so you know exactly how much time you have to grab a coffee or finish a task.

    get_bus_predictionsget_train_arrivals

Try it

Copy these to start.

Paste these directly into your chat to see the MCP in action.

Starting points

These are basic ways to start. Swap out the route numbers and stop names for your actual commute.

CTA Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_8ueRqAm68ulWomrillKp4F4nu0NNlhP88klbOPLG/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — CTA capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cta-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_8ueRqAm68ulWomrillKp4F4nu0NNlhP88klbOPLG/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • How many minutes until the next #66 bus arrives at my stop?

  • When is the next northbound Red Line train reaching Grand?

  • Check the arrival time for the #22 bus at the corner of State and Lake.

  • How long until the next train arrives at the Roosevelt station?

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect CTA once, then ask.

Just click to connect the MCP to your preferred client. Your credentials stay encrypted and secure, and you can start asking for arrival times immediately.

Connect CTA to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI tell me if a bus is crowded?

    No. The AI only has access to arrival predictions and cannot see real-time passenger counts.

  • 02

    Does the AI know about delays or service changes?

    The AI provides arrival predictions based on current data, but it cannot proactively alert you to unplanned service disruptions.

  • 03

    Can the AI book a ride for me?

    No. This MCP is strictly for retrieving transit arrival information.

  • 04

    Can I use this with any AI client?

    Yes, as long as your client is MCP-compatible, like Claude, Cursor, or Windsurf.

  • 05

    Will the AI update me if the bus is late?

    The AI only provides the information you ask for in the moment. It does not push live notifications to you automatically.

  • More questions about CTA? The Connector page answers them. See everything the CTA Connector can do

Connect CTA to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more