# TfL London Scraper — Live Transport Data (`ponderable_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper`) Actor
Transport for London data — line status, live arrivals by line or stop, stop search and line stops across tube, bus, DLR, Overground and more. Free, no key needed.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/ponderable\_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Ponderable Hydrometer](https://apify.com/ponderable_hydrometer) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools, Automation, SEO tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
from $2.00 / 1,000 results
This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event
## What's an Apify Actor?
Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".
## How to integrate an Actor?
If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.
In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md):
```bash
npm install apify-client
```
In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md):
```bash
pip install apify-client
```
In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):
````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash
In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md).
If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).
For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.
For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).
# README
## TfL London Scraper — Live Transport Data
**London transport data from the official [TfL Unified API](https://api.tfl.gov.uk) in one actor —
live arrivals, line status & disruptions, routes and stops for Tube, bus, DLR, Overground,
Elizabeth line and tram.** Clean, flat, normalized JSON — no TfL `$type` envelope. Runs keyless.
Perfect for live departure boards, trip planners, disruption alerts, transport dashboards and datasets.
### Keyless (optional BYO key)
Runs **keyless** at TfL's standard rate — no key required. For a higher rate limit, register a
free app key at and set it in the optional `appKey` input
(stored as a secret). It works fine without one.
### Modes
| Mode | What it returns |
|------|-----------------|
| `line-status` | Status / disruptions for a set of `modes` (tube, bus, dlr, …) |
| `arrivals-by-line` | Live arrivals for one or more `lines` (e.g. victoria, central, a bus route) |
| `arrivals-by-stop` | Live arrivals at one or more `stopIds` (NaPTAN, e.g. 940GZZLUOXC) |
| `stop-search` | Stops matching a `query` (name/place) — returns ids to use elsewhere |
| `line-stops` | All stop points on a `line` |
### What you get
- **Arrivals** — station, line, platform, direction, `towards`, `destinationName`, vehicle id,
current location, `timeToStationSeconds`, `expectedArrival`
- **Line status** — line, mode, `statusSeverity`, `statusDescription`, disruption reason/category
and validity window
- **Stop search** — id, name, lat/lon, modes, fare `zone`, ics id
- **Line stops** — NaPTAN id, name, stop type, lat/lon, modes, zone, lines served, WiFi flag
### Example inputs
**Tube status**
```json
{"mode":"line-status","modes":["tube"]}
````
**Live arrivals on lines**
```json
{"mode":"arrivals-by-line","lines":["victoria","central"]}
```
**Arrivals at a stop**
```json
{"mode":"arrivals-by-stop","stopIds":["940GZZLUOXC"]}
```
**Search a stop**
```json
{"mode":"stop-search","query":"Oxford"}
```
Typical flow: `stop-search` → grab a stop `id` → `arrivals-by-stop`.
### Output (one arrival)
Fields below are the real normalizer output:
```json
{
"stationName": "Oxford Circus Underground Station",
"naptanId": "940GZZLUOXC",
"lineId": "victoria",
"lineName": "Victoria",
"platformName": "Northbound - Platform 3",
"direction": "inbound",
"towards": "Walthamstow Central",
"destinationName": "Walthamstow Central",
"vehicleId": "234",
"currentLocation": "At Green Park",
"timeToStationSeconds": 120,
"expectedArrival": "2026-07-12T10:15:30Z",
"timestamp": "2026-07-12T10:13:30Z",
"modeName": "tube"
}
```
### Why this actor
- **All modes in one actor** — Tube, bus, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line and tram.
- **Tidy schema** — flat normalized rows, no TfL `$type` noise or nested envelope.
- **Reliable** — requests retry with backoff on 429/5xx.
### Pricing
Pay per result — **$2.00 per 1,000 results** (one result = one arrival / status / stop / match).
No subscription or platform fees; runs keyless (bring a key only for higher throughput).
### Related actors
- **Transitland Scraper** — public transit worldwide (operators, routes, stops, departures).
- **Vienna Wiener Linien** — live Vienna departures & stops.
### Notes & limits
- Live arrival predictions and disruption status change constantly; treat each run as a snapshot.
- Independent tool sourcing the official TfL Unified API; not affiliated with or endorsed by
Transport for London. Powered by TfL Open Data. You are responsible for compliant use.
# Actor input Schema
## `mode` (type: `string`):
What to fetch from the TfL Unified API.
## `lines` (type: `array`):
TfL line ids for arrivals-by-line / line-stops, e.g. \["victoria","central","elizabeth"] or a bus route like \["88"].
## `stopIds` (type: `array`):
StopPoint ids for arrivals-by-stop, e.g. \["940GZZLUOXC"] (Oxford Circus). Get ids from stop-search.
## `modes` (type: `array`):
Modes for line-status, e.g. \["tube"], \["bus"], \["dlr","overground","elizabeth-line","tram"].
## `query` (type: `string`):
For stop-search: place/station name, e.g. "Oxford", "Victoria", "King's Cross".
## `appKey` (type: `string`):
Optional free TfL API key for a higher rate limit. Works keyless without it. Register at https://api-portal.tfl.gov.uk/ .
## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):
Cap on number of rows returned.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"mode": "line-status",
"lines": [
"victoria"
],
"modes": [
"tube"
],
"maxResults": 500
}
```
# API
You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.
## JavaScript example
```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
token: '',
});
// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
"lines": [
"victoria"
],
"modes": [
"tube"
]
};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper").call(input);
// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
console.dir(item);
});
// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs
```
## Python example
```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient
# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("")
# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
"lines": ["victoria"],
"modes": ["tube"],
}
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
print(item)
# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start
```
## CLI example
```bash
echo '{
"lines": [
"victoria"
],
"modes": [
"tube"
]
}' |
apify call ponderable_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=ponderable_hydrometer/tfl-london-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
```json
{
"openapi": "3.0.1",
"info": {
"title": "TfL London Scraper — Live Transport Data",
"description": "Transport for London data — line status, live arrivals by line or stop, stop search and line stops across tube, bus, DLR, Overground and more. Free, no key needed.",
"version": "0.1",
"x-build-id": "GcMgClWykDvYLvHSF"
},
"servers": [
{
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
}
],
"paths": {
"/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~tfl-london-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-ponderable_hydrometer-tfl-london-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
},
"/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~tfl-london-scraper/runs": {
"post": {
"operationId": "runs-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-tfl-london-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK",
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
}
}
}
}
}
}
},
"/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~tfl-london-scraper/run-sync": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-tfl-london-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
}
},
"components": {
"schemas": {
"inputSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"mode": {
"title": "Mode",
"enum": [
"arrivals-by-line",
"arrivals-by-stop",
"line-status",
"stop-search",
"line-stops"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "What to fetch from the TfL Unified API.",
"default": "line-status"
},
"lines": {
"title": "Line IDs",
"type": "array",
"description": "TfL line ids for arrivals-by-line / line-stops, e.g. [\"victoria\",\"central\",\"elizabeth\"] or a bus route like [\"88\"].",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"stopIds": {
"title": "Stop (NaPTAN) IDs",
"type": "array",
"description": "StopPoint ids for arrivals-by-stop, e.g. [\"940GZZLUOXC\"] (Oxford Circus). Get ids from stop-search.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"modes": {
"title": "Transport modes",
"type": "array",
"description": "Modes for line-status, e.g. [\"tube\"], [\"bus\"], [\"dlr\",\"overground\",\"elizabeth-line\",\"tram\"].",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"query": {
"title": "Search query",
"type": "string",
"description": "For stop-search: place/station name, e.g. \"Oxford\", \"Victoria\", \"King's Cross\"."
},
"appKey": {
"title": "TfL app_key (optional, BYO)",
"type": "string",
"description": "Optional free TfL API key for a higher rate limit. Works keyless without it. Register at https://api-portal.tfl.gov.uk/ ."
},
"maxResults": {
"title": "Max results",
"minimum": 1,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Cap on number of rows returned.",
"default": 500
}
}
},
"runsResponseSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"data": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string"
},
"actId": {
"type": "string"
},
"userId": {
"type": "string"
},
"startedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"finishedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"status": {
"type": "string",
"example": "READY"
},
"meta": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"origin": {
"type": "string",
"example": "API"
},
"userAgent": {
"type": "string"
}
}
},
"stats": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"inputBodyLen": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2000
},
"rebootCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"restartCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"resurrectCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"computeUnits": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"options": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"build": {
"type": "string",
"example": "latest"
},
"timeoutSecs": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 300
},
"memoryMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1024
},
"diskMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2048
}
}
},
"buildId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultDatasetId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultRequestQueueId": {
"type": "string"
},
"buildNumber": {
"type": "string",
"example": "1.0.0"
},
"containerUrl": {
"type": "string"
},
"usage": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"usageTotalUsd": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"usageUsd": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
```