Ns Travel Information Server

What is Ns Travel Information Server about?

Ns Travel Information Server delivers up‑to‑date NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) train data to Claude AI via the Model Context Protocol. It exposes endpoints for real‑time departures, arrivals, journey planning, service disruptions, ticket pricing, and detailed station information.

How to use Ns Travel Information Server?

Install via one of the three methods described in the README (Claude Desktop NPM package, Smithery CLI, or building from source). The most convenient is the NPM package:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ns-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ns-mcp-server"],
      "env": { "NS_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here" }
    }
  }
}

Add the configuration to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (or the equivalent Claude config location).
Restart Claude Desktop. The assistant can now ask natural‑language questions about Dutch train travel, and Claude will forward them to the MCP server.

Key features of Ns Travel Information Server

Real‑time train data – departures, arrivals, platform numbers, delays, and notes.
Journey planning – optimal routes with transfers, real‑time updates, and alternative suggestions.
Service updates – current disruptions, maintenance work, and engineering activities.
Pricing information – single/return fares, class differences, group pricing, discounts, and validity details.
Station details – facilities, accessibility, platform layouts, OV‑fiets bike‑share availability, and location data.
Multi‑language support – responses available in Dutch and English.
Flexible queries – search by station name, code, or UIC identifier; proper time‑zone handling.

Use cases of Ns Travel Information Server

Checking if a specific morning train is on time.
Finding alternative routes when a line is under maintenance.
Getting the earliest train to reach a meeting on time.
Querying wheelchair accessibility and platform information for a station.
Determining ticket prices for a family trip (adults + children).
Looking up OV‑fiets availability at a particular station.
Monitoring upcoming delays or cancellations on a frequently used route.

FAQ from the Ns Travel Information Server

Q: Where do I obtain an NS API key? A: Register at the NS API Portal (https://apiportal.ns.nl/) and create an application to receive a key.

Q: Which environment variable name should I use? A: The server expects NS_API_KEY.

Q: Can I run the server locally without installing globally? A: Yes, use the npx command as shown in the example; it will fetch and run the package on demand.

Q: Does the server support both Dutch and English queries? A: Yes, responses are provided in both languages based on the request.

Q: What Node.js version is required? A: The project works with Node 14+; the NPM package handles compatible versions automatically.

Q: How do I update the server when a new version is released? A: Run npx -y ns-mcp-server again; npx always fetches the latest version.

NS Travel Information MCP Server

Transform your AI assistant into a Dutch railways expert! This MCP server connects Claude to real-time NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) travel information, making it your perfect companion for navigating the Netherlands by train.

Installation

You can install this server in three ways:

1. Using Claude Desktop with NPM Package

Update your Claude configuration file (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ns-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "ns-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NS_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

You can get an API key from NS API Portal

2. Using Smithery

To install NS Travel Information Server automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install ns-server --client claude

3. From Source

Clone this repository
Install dependencies:
```
npm install
```
Copy the example environment file:
```
cp .env.example .env
```
Add your NS API key to the .env file:
```
NS_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
```

Then update your Claude configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ns-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/ns-server/build/index.js"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NS_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Make sure to:

Replace /path/to/ns-server with the actual path to your installation
Add your NS API key in the env section. It can be obtained from here https://apiportal.ns.nl/product#product=NsApp

After updating the configuration, restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect.

Real-World Use Cases

"Is my usual 8:15 train from Almere to Amsterdam running on time?"
"Are there any delays on the Rotterdam-Den Haag route today?"
"What's the best alternative route to Utrecht if there's maintenance on the direct line?"
"Which train should I take to arrive at my office in Amsterdam Zuid before 9 AM?"
"Which route to Amsterdam has the fewest transfers with a stroller?"
"What's the earliest train I can take to make my 10 AM meeting in The Hague?"
"When's the last train back to Groningen after a night out in Amsterdam?"
"Are there any weekend engineering works that might affect my Monday morning class?"
"Are there OV-fiets bikes available at Utrecht Centraal for my afternoon meeting?"
"Is Eindhoven Strijp-S station wheelchair accessible and what platforms does it have?"
"What trains are arriving at Utrecht Centraal in the next hour?"
"Has the train from Venlo to Schiphol Airport arrived on time?"
"How much does a first-class ticket from Amsterdam to Rotterdam cost?"
"What's the price for 2 adults and 1 child traveling to Den Haag?"

🔑 Environment Variables

Variable	Description
NS_API_KEY	Your NS API key (required)

🌟 Features

This MCP server provides comprehensive access to NS train information through the following endpoints:

Real-time Train Information

Departures: Get real-time departure information including platform numbers, delays, and travel notes
Arrivals: Access upcoming train arrivals with origin stations, platform changes, and status updates
Journey Planning: Find optimal travel routes with transfers and real-time updates
Service Updates: Check for disruptions, maintenance work, and engineering activities

Pricing Information

Ticket Prices: Get accurate pricing for single and return journeys
Travel Classes: Compare prices for first and second class travel
Group Pricing: Calculate fares for adults and children
Discount Options: Check joint journey discounts and special offers
Validity Details: View ticket validity periods and travel conditions

Station Information

Station Details: Access comprehensive station information including:
- Facilities and accessibility features
- Platform layouts and track information
- OV-fiets (bike rental) availability
- Location and approach details

Additional Features

Multi-language Support: Information available in Dutch and English
Flexible Queries: Search by station name, code, or UIC identifier
Time Zones: Proper handling of time zones for international stations
Status Updates: Track changes, delays, and cancellations in real-time

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details