NZ Trains

Goal

Query live Wellington train data from Metlink GTFS and GTFS-RT endpoints through a small deterministic CLI with human-readable and JSON output.

Use this when

• A user asks about Wellington Metlink train lines: JVL, KPL, HVL, MEL, or WRL
• A user wants next train arrivals from a Wellington region station
• A user asks about live train delays, cancellations, or vehicle positions
• A user asks about train-specific Metlink service alerts
• A workflow needs machine-readable Wellington train status data

Do not use this for

• Wellington buses; use nz-buses
• Auckland public transport; use at-transport
• KiwiRail long-distance services such as Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, or TranzAlpine
• Fares, ticketing, journey planning, or historical performance analysis
• Mutating bookings, accounts, cards, alerts, or Metlink data

Preferred workflow

1. Set METLINK_API_KEY in the environment before running data commands
2. Run scripts/cli.py with the narrowest subcommand that answers the task
3. Use lines for a quick network snapshot
4. Use arrivals or station for stop-specific next trains
5. Use delays, vehicles, and alerts for operational status
6. Use --json for agent chaining, comparisons, or structured reports

Setup

Requires a Metlink Open Data API key.

export METLINK_API_KEY=your_key_here

The CLI reads os.environ["METLINK_API_KEY"]. There is no fallback key.

CLI

Run with:

python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py <command> [flags]

Commands

• lines [--json] - list Wellington train lines with current delay, alert, and vehicle counts
• line <name> [--json] - detail for one line; accepts codes like WRL or names like Wairarapa
• stations [--line <name>] [--json] - train stations, optionally filtered to one line
• station <stop-id-or-name> [--limit N] [--json] - station detail with next train arrivals
• arrivals <station> [--limit N] [--json] - next live train arrivals at a station; accepts stop ID or name
• delays [--line <name>] [--limit N] [--json] - current late or cancelled train trips
• vehicles [--line <name>] [--limit N] [--json] - live train positions with lat/lon
• alerts [--line <name>] [--limit N] [--json] - active train-specific service alerts

Examples:

python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py lines
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py line WRL --json
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py stations --line KPL
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py arrivals WELL --limit 8
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py station Masterton --json
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py delays --line Wairarapa
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py vehicles --line KPL --json
python3 skills/nz-trains/scripts/cli.py alerts --line HVL

Resources

• CLI entrypoint: scripts/cli.py
• API and stability notes: references/api-notes.md

Notes

• Upstream source: Metlink Open Data API
• API key required - set METLINK_API_KEY; never commit keys or .env files
• Python stdlib only; no package install, browser automation, account login, or write actions
• Filters routes to GTFS route_type=2 and the five Wellington train route codes only
• WELL is the Wellington Station parent stop ID; numeric city bus stops such as 5000 are not train stations
• Wairarapa Line (WRL) covers the long-distance Metlink rail service to Masterton