Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Bengaluru BMTC MCP Server? A: It’s an implementation of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services, providing real-time transit data through a standardized API.

Q: What are the key features of the BMTC MCP Server? A: Key features include real-time bus location tracking, route information, stop details with ETA, support for over 2,200 routes and 8,400+ stops, authentication, data caching, and geospatial queries.

Q: What are the prerequisites for installing the BMTC MCP Server? A: You need Node.js (v14 or later), npm or yarn, MongoDB, Redis (optional for caching), and Git.

Q: How do I install the BMTC MCP Server? A: You can install it using standard installation (cloning the repo, installing dependencies, configuring environment variables, seeding the database, and starting the server) or using Docker Compose.

Q: What is an API Key and how do I use it? A: The API Key is used for authentication. You will need a JWT secret for signing authentication tokens and, for production, a BMTC API Key (contact BMTC to request access). For development, you can use mock data.

Q: How do I run the tests? A: Use the command npm test.

Q: How does the BMTC MCP Server integrate with UBOS? A: UBOS can leverage the server’s real-time data for AI-powered applications like ETA prediction, personalized route recommendations, predictive maintenance, automated incident management, and demand forecasting.

Q: What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)? A: MCP is an open protocol that standardizes how applications provide context to Large Language Models (LLMs), allowing AI models to access and interact with external data sources and tools.

Q: Where can I find the API documentation? A: Visit http://localhost:3000/api-docs once the server is running.

Q: What kind of data can I access through the API? A: You can access data related to authentication, routes, stops, bus locations, and estimated time of arrival (ETA).

Q: How do I seed the database with mock data? A: Run the command node src/scripts/seed.js.

Q: How do I contribute to the project? A: Please read the CONTRIBUTING.md file for details on the code of conduct and the process for submitting pull requests.