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arjunkmrm

Singapore LTA MCP Server

by arjunkmrm

bus_arrival

Check real-time bus arrival times, locations, and crowding levels for Singapore bus stops using specific stop codes and optional service numbers.

Instructions

Get real-time bus arrival information for a specific bus stop and optionally a specific service number. Returns estimated arrival times, bus locations, and crowding levels.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
busStopCodeYesThe unique 5-digit bus stop code
serviceNoNoOptional bus service number to filter results

Implementation Reference

  • Handler for the 'bus_arrival' tool: extracts parameters, calls LTA BusArrival API v3, returns formatted JSON response or handles API errors.
    case "bus_arrival": {
      const { busStopCode, serviceNo } = request.params.arguments as {
        busStopCode: string;
        serviceNo?: string;
      };
    
      try {
        const response = await axios.get('https://datamall2.mytransport.sg/ltaodataservice/v3/BusArrival', {
          params: {
            BusStopCode: busStopCode,
            ...(serviceNo && { ServiceNo: serviceNo })
          },
          headers: {
            'AccountKey': process.env.LTA_API_KEY!,
            'accept': 'application/json'
          }
        });
        
        return {
          content: [{
            type: "text",
            text: JSON.stringify(response.data, null, 2)
          }]
        };
      } catch (error) {
        if (axios.isAxiosError(error)) {
          return {
            content: [{
              type: "text", 
              text: `LTA API error: ${error.response?.data?.Message ?? error.message}`
            }],
            isError: true
          };
        }
        throw error;
      }
    }
  • Tool metadata and input schema definition for 'bus_arrival', used in tool listing response. Defines required busStopCode and optional serviceNo.
      name: "bus_arrival",
      description: "Get real-time bus arrival information for a specific bus stop and optionally a specific service number. Returns estimated arrival times, bus locations, and crowding levels.",
      inputSchema: {
        type: "object",
        properties: {
          busStopCode: {
            type: "string",
            description: "The unique 5-digit bus stop code"
          },
          serviceNo: {
            type: "string",
            description: "Optional bus service number to filter results"
          }
        },
        required: ["busStopCode"]
      }
    },
  • src/index.ts:47-130 (registration)
    Registration of all tools including 'bus_arrival' via the ListToolsRequestSchema handler.
    this.server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
      return {
        tools: [{
          name: "bus_arrival",
          description: "Get real-time bus arrival information for a specific bus stop and optionally a specific service number. Returns estimated arrival times, bus locations, and crowding levels.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {
              busStopCode: {
                type: "string",
                description: "The unique 5-digit bus stop code"
              },
              serviceNo: {
                type: "string",
                description: "Optional bus service number to filter results"
              }
            },
            required: ["busStopCode"]
          }
        },
        {
          name: "station_crowding",
          description: "Get real-time MRT/LRT station crowdedness level for a particular train network line. Updates every 10 minutes.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {
              trainLine: {
                type: "string",
                description: "Code of train network line (CCL, CEL, CGL, DTL, EWL, NEL, NSL, BPL, SLRT, PLRT, TEL)",
                enum: ["CCL", "CEL", "CGL", "DTL", "EWL", "NEL", "NSL", "BPL", "SLRT", "PLRT", "TEL"]
              }
            },
            required: ["trainLine"]
          }
        },
        {
          name: "train_alerts",
          description: "Get real-time train service alerts including service disruptions and shuttle services. Updates when there are changes.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {} // No parameters needed
          }
        },
        {
          name: "carpark_availability",
          description: "Get real-time availability of parking lots for HDB, LTA, and URA carparks. Updates every minute.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {} // No parameters needed
          }
        },
        {
          name: "travel_times",
          description: "Get estimated travel times on expressway segments. Updates every 5 minutes.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {} // No parameters needed
          }
        },
        {
          name: "traffic_incidents",
          description: "Get current road incidents including accidents, roadworks, and heavy traffic. Updates every 2 minutes.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {} // No parameters needed
          }
        },
        {
          name: "station_crowd_forecast",
          description: "Get forecasted MRT/LRT station crowdedness levels in 30-minute intervals.",
          inputSchema: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {
              trainLine: {
                type: "string",
                description: "Code of train network line (CCL, CEL, CGL, DTL, EWL, NEL, NSL, BPL, SLRT, PLRT, TEL)",
                enum: ["CCL", "CEL", "CGL", "DTL", "EWL", "NEL", "NSL", "BPL", "SLRT", "PLRT", "TEL"]
              }
            },
            required: ["trainLine"]
          }
        }]
      };
    });

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. First observed

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description discloses the return content (estimated arrival times, bus locations, crowding levels) and labels it as real-time. No annotations exist, so the description carries full burden; it provides enough behavior context without contradictions.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences efficiently convey the tool's purpose and return values, with no redundant or unnecessary information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With no output schema, the description explains the return values (arrival times, locations, crowding), making it sufficiently complete for an agent to understand the tool's output.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Input schema covers 100% of parameters with descriptions matching the tool description. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what the schema already provides, meeting the baseline for high schema coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states it retrieves real-time bus arrival information for a specific stop and optionally a specific service number. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like carpark_availability and train_alerts, which cover different domains.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies use when needing bus times at a stop, and sibling tool names clearly differentiate domains. However, no explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance is provided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.