NTA (National Transport Authority, Ireland)

NTA provides access to Irish public transport data through the GTFS-Realtime API.

Coverage Area

• All of Ireland
• Dublin Bus
• Bus Éireann
• Go-Ahead Ireland
• Luas (Dublin Tram)
• Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

API Details

Property	Value
Base URL	https://api.nationaltransport.ie/gtfsr
API Key	Required (free)
Timezone	Europe/Dublin
Data Format	GTFS-Realtime (JSON)

API Key

Getting an API Key

1. Register at developer.nationaltransport.ie
2. Subscribe to the "GTFS-Realtime" API
3. You will receive a Primary and Secondary API key
4. Enter the Primary API key during integration setup (required)
5. Optionally enter the Secondary API key (used as fallback)

Tip

The Secondary API key is optional but recommended as a fallback if the Primary key fails.

API Key Usage

• Primary Key: Required for all API calls
• Secondary Key: Automatic fallback if Primary returns 401

Transport Types

GTFS Route Type	Type	Description
0, 5, 6	tram	Tram/Light Rail (Luas)
1	subway	Subway/Metro
2, 7	train	Rail (Iarnród Éireann)
3	bus	Bus services
4	ferry	Ferry

Configuration

Setup Steps

1. Select NTA as provider
2. Enter your Primary API key (and optionally Secondary key)
3. Enter the stop ID (see below)
4. Configure departure count and filters

Finding Stop IDs

NTA uses GTFS stop IDs. To find a stop ID:

1. Visit Transport for Ireland
2. Search for your stop
3. The stop ID is in the URL or stop information

Common stop ID formats:

• Dublin Bus: 8220DB000001
• Luas: LUAS1, LUAS2, etc.
• Irish Rail: Station codes

Example Stops

• Dublin Connolly Station
• Heuston Station
• Dublin Bus stops (by stop number)
• Luas stops

Special Features

GTFS-Realtime Format

NTA uses the GTFS-Realtime standard, which provides:

• Trip updates with delays
• Real-time arrival predictions
• Service alerts (future feature)

Multiple Operators

The integration handles data from all Irish operators:

• Dublin Bus: City and suburban buses
• Bus Éireann: Regional and intercity buses
• Go-Ahead Ireland: Dublin commuter buses
• Luas: Dublin light rail (Red and Green lines)
• Iarnród Éireann: National rail services

Delay Calculation

Delays are calculated from GTFS-RT trip_update.stop_time_update.departure.delay field, provided in seconds and converted to minutes.

API Information

Endpoint

https://api.nationaltransport.ie/gtfsr/v2/TripUpdates?format=json

Authentication

API key is passed via the x-api-key header:

x-api-key: YOUR_PRIMARY_API_KEY

Response Structure

{
  "header": {
    "gtfs_realtime_version": "2.0",
    "timestamp": 1234567890
  },
  "entity": [
    {
      "id": "trip_id",
      "trip_update": {
        "trip": {
          "trip_id": "...",
          "route_id": "..."
        },
        "stop_time_update": [
          {
            "stop_id": "8220DB000001",
            "departure": {
              "delay": 120,
              "time": 1234567890
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Troubleshooting

API Key Issues

If you get a 401 error:

1. Verify your Primary API key is correct
2. Check that you've subscribed to the GTFS-Realtime API
3. Try the Secondary key if configured

No Departures Found

If no departures are returned:

1. Verify the stop ID is correct
2. Check that the stop has active services at this time
3. Enable debug logging to see API responses