open google maps to bus directions

Question

I realise that you can open the google maps app ready for directions by doing something like this:

NSString* urlString = @\"http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr         


        

Answer 1

String url = "http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&daddr="+latitude+","+longitude+"&dirflg=r";
Intent intent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(url)); 
intent.setClassName("com.google.android.apps.maps", "com.google.android.maps.MapsActivity");
startActivity(intent);   

dirflg=r is for public transport.

Answer 2

From MapKiWiki:

dirflg Route type:

• dirflg=h - Switches on "Avoid Highways" route finding mode.
• dirflg=t - Switches on "Avoid Tolls" route finding mode.
• dirflg=r - Switches on "Public Transit" - only works in some areas.
• dirflg=w - Switches to walking directions - still in beta.
• dirflg=d - Switches to driving directions.

So your URL:

NSString* urlString = @"http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=London+UK&daddr=Birmingham+UK";

Becomes:

NSString* urlString = @"http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=London+UK&daddr=Birmingham+UK&dirflg=r";

N.B. The data supporting public transit route types are not always available. I tried the area you used in your sample (London, Birmingham) and found it was not supported.