onebusaway-mcp-server

Real-time transit stops, routes, arrivals, vehicle positions, and schedules via OneBusAway APIs.

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What it can do

    What data it sees

    Do you need an account

    No: the server works without sign-in

    Real-time transit stops, routes, arrivals, vehicle positions, and schedules via OneBusAway APIs.

    How to connect

    How to connect onebusaway-mcp-server to Claude

    The server address to paste into Claude settings:

    https://onebusaway.caseyjhand.com/mcp

    1. Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app).
    2. Go to Settings → Connectors.
    3. Click Add custom connector.
    4. Paste the server address copied below into Remote MCP server URL and click Add.
    5. In a chat, click + → Connectors and switch the new connector on.

    Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans (Free is limited to one). On Team and Enterprise an organization Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors.

    Authorization

    After you click Add, a sign-in window for the service opens. Sign in with your own account and approve access. Claude never sees your password.

    How to connect onebusaway-mcp-server to ChatGPT

    The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

    https://onebusaway.caseyjhand.com/mcp

    1. Open ChatGPT in a browser (chatgpt.com). A Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu plan is required.
    2. Turn on developer mode once: Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode.
    3. Open Settings → Connectors and click Create.
    4. Fill in the form: Name (anything), Description (one line about what the service does), MCP server URL (copy it below).
    5. Under Authentication choose OAuth if the service requires sign-in, otherwise None. Click Create.
    6. In a new chat open + → Apps/Connectors and enable the connector.

    OpenAI has renamed this section before (Connectors → Apps/Plugins). If the label differs, search settings for "developer mode". On Business/Enterprise workspaces an admin must allow custom connectors first.

    Authorization

    On first use ChatGPT opens the service's sign-in window. Sign in and approve access.

    How to connect onebusaway-mcp-server to Cursor

    The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

    https://onebusaway.caseyjhand.com/mcp

    Fastest: click Open in Cursor below and confirm the prompt.

    Manually:

    1. In Cursor open Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP and click Add new global MCP server.
    2. Paste the JSON copied below into ~/.cursor/mcp.json (per project: .cursor/mcp.json in the repo root).
    3. Save the file. The server appears in the MCP list; authorize it there if asked.

    Authorization

    If the service needs sign-in, an authorize button appears next to the server in the MCP list.

    Server tool list (15)

    Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.

    onebusaway_list_agenciesList all transit agencies served by this OneBusAway instance. Returns agency IDs, names, contact info, timezone, and geographic coverage center. Agency IDs are needed for onebusaway_list_routes_for_agency and onebusaway_get_vehicles.
    onebusaway_find_stopsFind bus stops near a location. Returns stops within a radius, each with ID, name, direction, served routes, and wheelchair boarding status. Use stopId values from results to fetch real-time arrivals with onebusaway_get_arrivals. Optionally filter by stop code (the number printed on the stop sign, e.g. "75403").
    onebusaway_find_routesFind transit routes near a location, optionally filtered by name or number. Returns routes with IDs, short names, and descriptions. Use routeId values to fetch schedules, vehicles, or stop sequences.
    onebusaway_search_stopsSearch for stops by name or code. Returns matching stops with IDs and coordinates. Use to resolve a human-readable stop name or number to a stop ID for arrivals lookups with onebusaway_get_arrivals.
    onebusaway_search_routesSearch for routes by name or number. Returns matching routes with IDs. Use to resolve a route short name (e.g. "44") to a route ID for schedule or vehicle lookups with onebusaway_get_vehicles or onebusaway_get_schedule_for_route.
    onebusaway_get_stopFetch details for a specific stop by ID. Returns the stop's name, coordinates, direction, served routes, and wheelchair accessibility. Stop IDs use agency-prefixed format: {agencyId}_{localId} (e.g. "1_75403" for Metro Transit stop 75403).
    onebusaway_get_routeFetch details for a specific route by ID. Returns short name, description, agency, route type, and schedule URL. Route IDs use agency-prefixed format: {agencyId}_{localId} (e.g. "1_100259").
    onebusaway_list_routes_for_agencyList all routes operated by an agency. Returns route IDs, short names, and descriptions. Use to enumerate an agency's full service before searching for a specific route. Get agencyId values from onebusaway_list_agencies.
    onebusaway_get_arrivalsReal-time arrivals and departures at a stop. Returns predicted arrival times, schedule deviation (how many seconds late/early), vehicle positions, and any active service alerts. The predicted boolean on each arrival indicates whether GPS tracking backs the estimate — predicted=false means schedule-only. Use tripId from results for follow-up onebusaway_get_trip calls. Stop IDs use agency-prefixed format: {agencyId}_{localId} (e.g. "1_75403").
    onebusaway_get_alertFetch full detail for a service alert (situation) by ID. Returns the summary, description, reason (e.g. detour, construction), affected stops and routes, consequence description, and active time windows. Situation IDs appear in onebusaway_get_arrivals responses under situationIds and situations[].id.
    onebusaway_get_tripReal-time status and stop sequence for a trip. Returns vehicle position, schedule deviation, current phase, and remaining stops. Use tripId from onebusaway_get_arrivals to look up a specific vehicle's progress.
    onebusaway_get_blockFetch the full-day block schedule for a vehicle by block ID. A block is the ordered sequence of trips a single vehicle makes in one service day. Returns all trips in order with their stop times. Useful for 'when will this bus return?' and fleet tracking. Block IDs appear in onebusaway_get_trip responses under the schedule block field; obtain a tripId from onebusaway_get_arrivals first.
    onebusaway_get_vehiclesReal-time positions of all active vehicles for an agency. Optionally filter to a single route (client-side). Returns GPS coordinates, heading, schedule deviation, and current trip. Useful for "where are all the buses on route X right now?" Use agencyId values from onebusaway_list_agencies.
    onebusaway_get_schedule_for_stopFull-day departure schedule for a stop. Lists every departure by route and direction for the specified date (defaults to today). Useful for planning or when real-time data isn't needed. For live predictions, use onebusaway_get_arrivals instead.
    onebusaway_get_schedule_for_routeFull-day schedule for a route — all trips, stop sequences, and departure times for the specified date (defaults to today). Returns up to all trips for the route. For live predictions, use onebusaway_get_arrivals at specific stops instead.