You can expect the ride from Aberdeen to Richmond Centre to take about 5 minutes. The distance is 2 km, and a standard rideshare is about $9 at normal demand, with a likely range of $7 to $10.
What goes into $9
Behind the estimate are rates of $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. For 2 km and 5 minutes the ride works out to $6.55, and the booking fee lifts it to about $9.
The regional minimum fare is $4.43. This trip is well above it, so the minimum does not change the price. On very short trips, though, the base fare and the booking fee make up most of what you pay, which is why a 2 km ride still costs several dollars.
Uber sets its own prices, so read ours as averages. The Uber app shows the real upfront price before you confirm, so look there first.
Busy periods
A busy period multiplies the fare by 1.2 and gives about $10. Very busy, at 1.5 times, is about $12. At peak demand, 2 times, the price is about $15.
Comfort is about $10, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $11 and Premier is about $17. The gap between the options is only a few dollars, so XL is an easy pick for a group.
Taxi and getting the pickup right
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi each publish a $3.75 flag fee with $2.18 for every km. For 2 km the meter comes to about $8. Waiting time and extras are not included, so the total can be a little higher.
On a hop this short, a missed pickup costs more time than the ride itself. Share the exact address, watch the pin in the app and be outside when the car arrives. Tell the driver if you are carrying shopping bags so they know what to expect.
For a wheelchair accessible vehicle, call a taxi company before the day. MacLure’s Cabs on 604-831-1111 and Vancouver Taxi on 604-871-1111 both list wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Because the rideshare and taxi totals are within a dollar of each other here, price should not decide it. Pick whichever can reach you soonest. If the app shows a long wait, a phone call to a taxi company may get a car to you faster, and a 2 km ride is not worth a long delay at the kerb.