- name
- mbta
- description
- Real-time MBTA transit predictions for Boston-area subway, bus, commuter rail, and ferry. Query departure times, search stops/routes, check service alerts, and run a live dashboard. Use when asked about Boston transit, T schedules, when to leave for the train, or MBTA service status.
- metadata
- {"clawdbot":{"requires":{"bins":["python3"],"pip":["requests"]}}}
MBTA Transit
Query real-time MBTA predictions via the v3 API.
Setup
# Optional but recommended for higher rate limits
export MBTA_API_KEY=your_key_here # Free at https://api-v3.mbta.com/portal
# Install dependencies
pip install requests pyyaml flask # flask only needed for dashboardQuick Commands
cd skills/mbta
# Next departures from a stop
python scripts/mbta.py next --stop place-alfcl # Alewife
python scripts/mbta.py next --stop place-harsq --route Red # Harvard, Red Line only
# Search for stop IDs
python scripts/mbta.py stops --search "Porter"
python scripts/mbta.py stops --search "Kendall"
# List routes
python scripts/mbta.py routes # All routes
python scripts/mbta.py routes --type rail # Subway only
python scripts/mbta.py routes --type bus # Buses
# Service alerts
python scripts/mbta.py alerts # All alerts
python scripts/mbta.py alerts --route Red # Red Line alerts
# All configured departures (uses config.yaml)
python scripts/mbta.py departures --config config.yaml
# Start web dashboard
python scripts/mbta.py dashboard --config config.yaml --port 6639Configuration
Edit config.yaml to set up your stops:
panels:
- title: "My Station"
walk_minutes: 5 # Filter out trains you can't catch
services:
- label: "Red Line"
destination: "to Alewife"
route_id: "Red"
stop_id: "place-harsq"
direction_id: 0 # 0 or 1 for direction
limit: 3Key fields:
walk_minutes: Trains departing sooner than this are filtered outdirection_id: 0 = outbound/north, 1 = inbound/south (varies by line)headsign_contains: Optional filter (e.g., "Ashmont" to exclude Braintree)
Finding Stop/Route IDs
# Search stops
python scripts/mbta.py stops --search "Davis"
# Returns: place-davis: Davis
# Get routes
python scripts/mbta.py routes --type rail
# Returns route IDs like "Red", "Orange", "Green-E"JSON Output
Add --json for machine-readable output:
python scripts/mbta.py next --stop place-alfcl --json
python scripts/mbta.py departures --config config.yaml --jsonCommon Stop IDs
| Station | Stop ID |
|---|---|
| Alewife | place-alfcl |
| Harvard | place-harsq |
| Kendall/MIT | place-knncl |
| Park Street | place-pktrm |
| South Station | place-sstat |
| North Station | place-north |
| Back Bay | place-bbsta |
| Downtown Crossing | place-dwnxg |
Answering User Questions
"When's the next Red Line train?"
python scripts/mbta.py next --stop place-alfcl --route Red"Should I leave now to catch the T?" Check departures against their walk time. If next train is ≤ walk_minutes, say "leave now!"
"Are there any delays on the Orange Line?"
python scripts/mbta.py alerts --route Orange"What buses go to Harvard?"
python scripts/mbta.py stops --search "Harvard"
# Then check routes at that stop
python scripts/mbta.py next --stop <stop_id>