Demerzels-lab NS Trains Skill
Check Dutch train schedules, departures, disruptions, and plan journeys using the official NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) API.
Setup
1. Get an NS API Key
- Go to NS API Portal
- Create an account and subscribe to the Ns-App product (free tier available)
- Copy your Primary Key
2. Set Environment Variables
export NS_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
# Optional: Configure commute stations for quick shortcuts
export NS_HOME_STATION="Utrecht Centraal"
export NS_WORK_STATION="Amsterdam Zuid"
Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc for persistence.
Quick Usage
🚆 Commute shortcuts
node {baseDir}/scripts/commute.mjs --to-work # Morning: Home → Work
node {baseDir}/scripts/commute.mjs --to-home # Evening: Work → Home
Plan any journey
node {baseDir}/scripts/journey.mjs --from "Utrecht Centraal" --to "Amsterdam Zuid"
Check departures from a station
node {baseDir}/scripts/departures.mjs --station "Amsterdam Centraal"
Check arrivals at a station
node {baseDir}/scripts/arrivals.mjs --station "Rotterdam Centraal"
Search for stations
node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs amsterdam
node {baseDir}/scripts/stations.mjs --search "den haag"
Check current disruptions
node {baseDir}/scripts/disruptions.mjs
node {baseDir}/scripts/disruptions.mjs --from "Utrecht" --to "Amsterdam"
Natural Language
Just ask:
- "When is the next train to Amsterdam?"
- "Check trains from Utrecht to Rotterdam"
- "Any train disruptions today?"
- "Plan my commute to work"
- "What time does the train arrive?"
Output
Returns journey options with:
- Departure/arrival times
- Real-time delays
- Duration
- Transfers
- Platform numbers
- Disruption warnings
- Crowdedness forecast (🟢 low / 🟡 medium / 🔴 high)
Commands Reference
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
commute.mjs [work|home] |
Quick commute check (requires NS_HOME_STATION & NS_WORK_STATION) |
journey.mjs --from X --to Y |
Plan a journey between any stations |
departures.mjs --station X |
List departures from a station |
arrivals.mjs --station X |
List arrivals at a station |
stations.mjs [query] |
Search for station names |
disruptions.mjs |
Check current disruptions |
API Endpoints Used
/reisinformatie-api/api/v3/trips- Journey planning/reisinformatie-api/api/v2/arrivals- Arrivals/reisinformatie-api/api/v2/departures- Departures/reisinformatie-api/api/v3/disruptions- Disruptions/reisinformatie-api/api/v2/stations- Station search
Reference
- NS API Portal: https://apiportal.ns.nl/
- Documentation: https://apiportal.ns.nl/startersguide
- Free tier: 5000 requests/day