New Train Tracker

Developed by TransitMatters Labs

Shows new MBTA Orange, Red, and Green Line trains as they come into service.

Install & Run

Dependencies:

• node 22.x (with npm 10.x)
• python 3.13
• uv
  • Ensure uv is using the correct Python version by running uv venv --python 3.13

Run:

• $ npm install
• $ npm start
• visit http://localhost:5173/

To use an API key, put it as an environment variable MBTA_V3_API_KEY

Container

You can also run the New Train Tracker inside a container using the following docker build and docker run commands

docker build -t new-train-tracker -f Containerfile .
docker run --net=host -e MBTA_V3_API_KEY=your_key_here new-train-tracker

The app will be available at http://localhost:5173/

Linting

To lint frontend and backend code, run $ npm run lint in the root directory

To lint just frontend code, run $ npm run lint-frontend

To lint just backend code, run $ npm run lint-backend

AWS Deployment

1. Make sure AWS CLI is set up and working — i.e. aws cloudformation describe-stacks | wc -l should work
2. Make sure these environment variables are set up in your shell (ask a Labs member for values if needed):

• TM_NTT_CERT_ARN (for production)
• TM_LABS_WILDCARD_CERT_ARN (for beta & production)

3. A key named transitmatters-ntt needs to be available in your AWS account and copied to ~/.ssh/transitmatters-ntt.pem.
4. Run ./deploy.sh (add -p for production) to deploy.
5. You're all set! Visit:

• https://ntt-beta.labs.transitmatters.org for beta
• https://traintracker.transitmatters.org for production

Other Deployments

This project generally fits the "Chalice app" mold. Contact us if you need help: labs@transitmatters.org

Support TransitMatters

If you've found this app helpful or interesting, please consider donating to TransitMatters to help support our mission to provide data-driven advocacy for a more reliable, sustainable, and equitable transit system in Metropolitan Boston.