Tfl MCP Server

Name: Tfl MCP Server
Author: oneill9

by oneill9version 1.5.2i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.oneill9/tfl-mcp-server

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Community-built server providing real-time London transport data via the TfL Unified API

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Other
You need to fill in: TFL_APP_KEY

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: TFL_APP_KEY

Values marked secret are keys to your account. Never share them or paste them into a chat.

You need

DockerDocker installed

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tfl": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "TFL_APP_KEY",
        "ghcr.io/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server:1.5.2"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TFL_APP_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add tfl --env TFL_APP_KEY=your-value -- docker run -i --rm -e TFL_APP_KEY ghcr.io/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server:1.5.2

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tfl": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "TFL_APP_KEY",
        "ghcr.io/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server:1.5.2"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TFL_APP_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "tfl": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "TFL_APP_KEY",
        "ghcr.io/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server:1.5.2"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TFL_APP_KEY": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

TFL_APP_KEY secret env
TfL API key — recommended for effective use. Without a key, TfL applies strict rate limits that will impact most real-world usage. Register free at https://api-portal.tfl.gov.uk/

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 7, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account oneill9, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Otheri

More stars than 0% of the other 32696 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 17% of the other 32696 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 32696 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Tfl MCP Server safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

You need to fill in: TFL_APP_KEY

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (1.5.2) reached the registry 4 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Docker on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Spec Driven Development, Remote Desktop Commander, LexPact UK Contracts

Alternatives

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Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

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README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

TfL MCP Server

Disclaimer: This is a community-built project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Transport for London (TfL). This project consumes the publicly available TfL Unified API.

An MCP server that exposes the TfL (Transport for London) Unified API as tools, allowing AI assistants like Claude to query live London transport data.

Version 2 is a single Node.js 22 implementation using the MCP 2026-07-28 protocol revision. It supports stdio for local hosts, npm, and MCPB, plus stateless Streamable HTTP at /mcp for remote deployments.

Protocol compatibility: Streamable HTTP is modern-only MCP 2026-07-28. The stdio entry point also accepts 2025-era initialization for desktop hosts such as Codex, while modern stdio clients continue to negotiate 2026-07-28. Legacy HTTP/SSE is not supported.

Getting Started

Step 1 — Add to Claude Desktop

Open your Claude Desktop config file:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Option A: Node.js MCPB (recommended)

Download tfl-mcp-server.mcpb from GitHub Releases and install it in Claude Desktop.

Option B: npm

With Node.js 22 or later installed, point Claude Desktop at the published package:

"mcpServers": { "tfl-mcp-server": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@oneill9/tfl-mcp-server@2.0.0"], "env": { "TFL_APP_KEY": "your_key_here" } } } }

Option C: Docker

"mcpServers": { "tfl-mcp-server": { "command": "docker", "args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "TFL_APP_KEY", "ghcr.io/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server:latest"] } } }

Step 2 — Add a TfL API key (recommended)

Without a key, TfL applies strict rate limits that will impact most real-world usage. Register a free key and pass it via the TFL_APP_KEY environment variable. The Docker example's -e TFL_APP_KEY forwards this value into the container:

"env": { "TFL_APP_KEY": "your_key_here" }

Step 3 — Restart Claude Desktop and start asking questions

Example: *"Is the Central line running normally?"*, *"When is the next bus from Oxford Circus?"*

For source, Docker, and Streamable HTTP options, see docs/installation.md.

Tools

Tool	Description	TfL Endpoint
`service_status`	Current status and disruptions by mode	`GET /Line/Mode/{modes}/Status`
`arrivals`	Live arrivals at a stop by name	`GET /StopPoint/{naptan}/Arrivals`
`journey`	Plan a journey between two points	`GET /Journey/JourneyResults/{from}/to/{to}`
`bike_points`	List Santander Cycles docking stations	`GET /BikePoint`
`crowding`	Live station crowding level by name	`GET /Crowding/{naptan}/Live`
`fares`	Fare information between two named stops	`GET /StopPoint/{id}/FareTo/{targetId}`

Note: The server uses the /StopPoint/Search/{query} endpoint internally to automatically resolve stop names to NaPTAN IDs for the arrivals, crowding, and fares tools.

MCP Apps UI

The service_status tool includes MCP Apps support as a progressive enhancement. UI-capable hosts (e.g. Claude Desktop) can render an interactive service status board alongside the text response. Non-UI hosts continue to receive the standard text output.

The UI is self-contained (inline HTML/CSS, no external assets)
Structured JSON data is returned alongside the text fallback
No additional setup is required — host support is detected automatically

See docs/tools.md for full details.

Authentication

The MCPB and default container mode use stdio transport. The optional Streamable HTTP mode does not implement OAuth or any other server-side authentication; deploy it only behind an appropriate trusted access layer.

The TfL API uses a simple API key (TFL_APP_KEY) that you supply as an environment variable. A key is strongly recommended — without one, TfL applies strict rate limits that will impact most real-world usage. Registration is free. No OAuth flow, login, or account beyond the TfL portal is required to use this MCP server.

Configuration

Environment Variable	Default	Description
`TFL_APP_KEY`	(none)	TfL API key — register at api-portal.tfl.gov.uk
`TFL_APP_ID`	(none)	TfL App ID — only needed for older API registrations that issued both an ID and key
`MCP_MAX_REQUEST_BODY_BYTES`	`1048576`	Maximum JSON request body size accepted by Streamable HTTP
`MCP_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS`	`30000`	Streamable HTTP request timeout in milliseconds
`MCP_HEADERS_TIMEOUT_MS`	`10000`	Streamable HTTP header timeout in milliseconds; must not exceed the request timeout

An API key is strongly recommended — without one, TfL's strict rate limits will impact most real-world usage. Registration is free at api-portal.tfl.gov.uk.

Running from source

Node.js 22 or later is required. Install from the lockfile and build before starting the server.

cd node

npm ci npm run build node dist/index.js

That starts stdio transport. For stateless Streamable HTTP:

cd node

HOST=127.0.0.1 PORT=8080 node dist/index.js --http

Connect an MCP 2026-07-28 client to http://127.0.0.1:8080/mcp. Set MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS to a comma-separated hostname allowlist when serving under other hostnames.

For use with Claude Desktop, see docs/installation.md.

Testing

Unit tests use a mock HTTP server — no network access or API key required:

cd node && npm test

The Streamable HTTP acceptance tests are included in npm test. Run the official frozen MCP 2026-07-28 requirement set separately (optional extension probes outside that set are not scored):

cd node && npm run test:conformance

The conformance fixture registers the real production TfL tools and resource through the shared modern-only HTTP adapter. It also adds test-only diagnostic tools, resources, prompts, and flows needed by the referee's hard-coded probes; those diagnostics are not exposed by the production entry point.

Contract tests call the live TfL API:

cd node && TFL_APP_KEY=your_key_here npm run contractTest

Build and smoke-test the packed npm CLI, MCPB, and container distributions with bash scripts/test-distributions.sh. The script skips container checks when Docker is unavailable.

Support

For questions, bug reports, or feature requests, please open an issue on GitHub Issues.

Privacy Policy

This MCP server acts as a local proxy between your AI assistant and the TfL Unified API. It does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data beyond what is required to forward your queries to TfL.

Data collection: No analytics or telemetry is collected. Limited operational diagnostics are written to standard error but are not persisted by the server; a host may retain them under its own logging policy.
Usage and storage: Queries are forwarded to TfL in real time and responses are returned immediately. No query history or results are persisted.
Third-party sharing: Requests are forwarded to the TfL Unified API (api.tfl.gov.uk). See TfL's privacy policy for how TfL handles API usage data.
Data retention: The server retains no data and holds no state between requests. Host-managed standard-error retention is outside the server's control.
Contact: For privacy concerns, open an issue at https://github.com/oneill9/tfl-mcp-server/issues.

The full privacy policy is available at PRIVACY.md.

Compliance

This server has been reviewed for compliance with the Anthropic Software Directory Terms and Anthropic Software Directory Policy. See COMPLIANCE.md for the full compliance statement and maintainer commitments.

TfL API Reference

Unified API: https://api.tfl.gov.uk/
API Portal / Key Registration: https://api-portal.tfl.gov.uk/
Swagger UI: https://api.tfl.gov.uk/swagger/ui/index.html

Tfl MCP Server

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Otheri

Common questions

Alternatives

Spec Driven Development

Remote Desktop Commander

LexPact UK Contracts

README from the maker

TfL MCP Server

Getting Started

Tools

MCP Apps UI

Authentication

Configuration

Running from source

Testing

Support

Privacy Policy

Compliance

TfL API Reference