A Blue Bird taxi in Metro Vancouver charges the metered rate set for all taxis in the region: a $3.75 flag rate at the start of the trip, then $2.18 per kilometre, with waiting time billed at $38.93 per hour. These figures come from the Passenger Transportation Board common rate rule in effect since January 1, 2025, and they include 5% GST.
The Board does not set a separate Blue Bird tariff in that rule. Taxi companies licensed in Metro Vancouver all work from the same common rate, so a Blue Bird cab and any other cab in the region should show the same metered numbers. If a trip starts outside Metro Vancouver, a different local rate may apply, so confirm with the company.
How the meter works
The meter starts at the flag rate and then adds a small charge for each stretch of road. Under the rule, that is $0.10 for every 45.95 metres, which works out to about $2.18 per kilometre. When the car is stopped or moving slowly, the meter bills waiting time instead, at $0.10 for every 9.25 seconds, or $38.93 per hour.
Taxis cannot raise the fare because of demand. The Board states that taxi operators may not charge variable rates that respond to changes in demand, which is a real difference from ride hailing apps that use surge pricing.
Extra charges worth knowing about
- Airport pickups: rides that start at YVR and head outside the Richmond and Vancouver zones carry a $4.00 premium location charge. Many airport trips use posted flat fare zones instead of the meter.
- En route stops: the Board rule lists $6.00 for the first 10 minutes of a stop and $2.00 for each additional minute.
- Cruise terminal trips: the rule also lists flat fares for rides from the cruise ship terminal, such as $16.00 to the downtown hotel area.
Getting a clear price before you ride
Ask the dispatcher or driver for a rough estimate before leaving, especially on long trips or in heavy traffic, since waiting time adds to the total. If you book through the company app, check whether it shows an estimate. Rates are reviewed by the Board from time to time, so check the current table at ptboard.bc.ca before relying on any figure. For a quick comparison across the region, the taxi fare estimator can help.