# TfL Transit MCP

> Transport for London MCP gives your AI agent instant access to real-time data across all of London's transport systems. Plan multi-modal journeys, check live tube line status, find bus arrivals at any stop, or track major road disruptions—all through natural conversation without needing an API key.

## Overview
- **Category:** productivity
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** public-transport, transit-data, real-time-updates, journey-planning, live-status, urban-mobility

## Description

Need to know if the Victoria Line is running good today? Or maybe you just need directions from King's Cross to Heathrow that account for a potential delay on the Jubilee line. This MCP connects your AI agent directly to London’s transit data, giving it instant awareness of what’s happening in real time. You can ask complex questions—like 'What is the fastest route to Oxford Circus right now?'—and get detailed directions that consider walking distance, expected cost, and connection changes. It covers everything from bus arrivals at a specific stop to finding available bikes at a nearby docking station. Because this MCP sits on Vinkius, you don't have to worry about managing credentials or integrating multiple data feeds; your agent just knows how to talk to the entire system.

## Tools

### get_arrivals
Predicts live arrival times and details for buses at any specific stop point ID.

### get_bike_point_detail
Retrieves detailed information about a single, specified bike docking station.

### get_bike_points
Searches for nearby Santander Cycle stations and reports on available docks and bikes.

### get_journey
Calculates travel plans between two points, offering multiple route options with costs and directions.

### get_line_detail
Provides specific information about a selected Tube or Overground line (like the DLR or Elizabeth line).

### get_line_routes
Lists the full sequence of stations served by a particular transit line.

### get_line_status
Checks the current operational status of all major Underground lines, noting delays or suspensions.

### get_road_disruptions
Lists details about ongoing road disruptions, including their cause and estimated time for clearance.

### get_road_status
Shows the current congestion level (Good, Minor, or Severe) on major London roads.

### get_stop_details
Retrieves detailed information for a specific bus stop or station ID.

### search_stop
Finds matching London transport stops, whether they are bus stops or tube stations, using only the name.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
What's the status of the Central line?
```

**Response:** 
```
🟢 Central line — Good Service. All trains running on time.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Plan a journey from King's Cross to Heathrow.
```

**Response:** 
```
Route 1: Piccadilly line direct (50min, £2.80, no changes). Route 2: Victoria to Green Park, then Jubilee to Bond Street, then Elizabeth line (45min, £3.40, 2 changes).
```

**Prompt:** 
```
When is the next bus at Oxford Circus?
```

**Response:** 
```
Next buses at Oxford Circus: Route 8 to Holborn (3 min), Route 55 to Walthamstow (5 min), Route 98 to Willesden (7 min), Route 13 to Archway (9 min).
```

## Capabilities

### Plan Multi-Modal Routes
Generates step-by-step directions between any two London locations, providing estimated duration and fare cost.

### Check Tube Line Status
Provides the real-time service status for every Underground line, indicating if it's running smoothly or experiencing delays.

### Get Live Bus Arrivals
Predicts exactly when buses will arrive at a specific stop point in London.

### Monitor Road Conditions
Reports on major road congestion levels or details about current traffic disruptions across the city.

### Find Cycling Stations
Locates nearby bike docking stations and tells you how many bikes are available at each one.

## Use Cases

### A commuter needs alternative directions because of a subway issue.
The agent detects the Central line is suspended. The user asks for directions to Paddington. The agent uses 'get_journey' and calculates an optimal route combining overground trains with a necessary walk, bypassing the broken section entirely.

### A tourist needs to know if their next bus connection is reliable.
The user asks for buses near Trafalgar Square. The agent uses 'search_stop' to get the correct stop ID, then calls 'get_arrivals'. It tells the tourist exactly when the 15 and 90 routes will arrive, preventing them from waiting unnecessarily.

### A developer needs a reliable data source for an app prototype.
The dev uses the MCP to pull real-time road congestion using 'get_road_status' alongside tube line status via 'get_line_status', creating a single, comprehensive dashboard feed that updates automatically.

### A bike messenger needs to check equipment availability.
Before starting a delivery run, the agent checks three nearby docking stations using 'get_bike_points'. It reports back: Station A has 5 bikes; Station B is full; and Station C has 12 available.

## Benefits

- Avoid unexpected delays. Instead of waiting for a status board update, ask the agent to check the 'get_line_status' and know instantly if your commute is impacted.
- Save time planning routes. The 'get_journey' tool handles complex transfers—it doesn't just give you directions; it gives you multiple options with cost estimates and changes counted.
- Beat traffic bottlenecks. Need to drive across town? Use 'get_road_status' or 'get_road_disruptions' to know if the main artery is backed up before leaving your desk.
- Manage transfers effortlessly. If a bus arrives late, use 'search_stop' first to find the correct ID, then 'get_arrivals' for precise predictions, linking real-world data to digital planning.
- Integrate bike travel. Don’t forget the last mile. Use 'get_bike_points' to check if there are available docks and bikes near your final destination.

## How It Works

The bottom line is you talk to your agent like talking to a human travel planner; it handles the complex data retrieval automatically.

1. Connect your preferred AI client to this MCP via Vinkius. This gives the agent access to all live London transit data.
2. Ask a natural language question, like 'What's the status of the Northern line?' or 'How do I get from Waterloo to Tower Bridge?'
3. The MCP processes the request and returns structured, actionable information—whether that’s a list of delays, a route map, or a sequence of steps.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I check if a specific tube line is delayed using Transport for London MCP?**
You use the 'get_line_status' tool. Just ask your agent about the Central or Victoria lines, and it will report exactly what service status they have (Good Service, Minor Delays, etc.).

**Does Transport for London MCP help plan a trip involving multiple modes of transport?**
Yes. The 'get_journey' tool calculates multi-modal routes, combining tube travel with walking segments or even bus transfers into one step-by-step itinerary.

**Can I find out when the next bus is coming using Transport for London MCP?**
You can use 'search_stop' first to get a precise stop ID, and then feed that ID into 'get_arrivals'. This gives you predicted arrival times for specific routes.

**Is the road status accurate with Transport for London MCP?**
The 'get_road_status' tool checks major roads for congestion levels, while 'get_road_disruptions' provides details on unexpected closures and estimated times until they clear.

**What if I need to plan a bike-friendly journey in London?**
You can use the MCP in two steps: first, check availability with 'get_bike_points', then incorporate that starting point into your main route planning using 'get_journey'.