Before you book, open the app and look at where the pickup pin has landed, because on a campus it often sits somewhere other than where you are standing. Once that is right, the numbers are simple. BCIT Burnaby to Brentwood is 3 km, takes about 8 minutes, and a standard rideshare is about $11 at normal demand. The likely range is $9 to $13.
How the fare adds up
We worked it out from average rates: $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. Three kilometres adds $3.45 and eight minutes adds $2.80. With the base fare that is $8.75, and the booking fee takes it to about $11.
This is an estimate, not an Uber price. The app shows the real upfront fare.
If the quote you see is a few dollars off ours, that is ordinary. We use average rates, and the app prices each request as it comes in. A gap of one or two dollars on a trip this short is no reason to cancel and rebook.
Busy-hour prices from BCIT to Brentwood
A busy multiplier of 1.2 gives about $13. Very busy, at 1.5, gives about $15. At the peak multiplier of 2 you are looking at about $20.
The regional minimum fare is $4.43. This trip is short, but it clears that minimum comfortably, so the minimum will not affect what you pay.
Comfort is about $13, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $15 and Premier is about $22 at normal demand.
Taxi meter and pickup habits
On the tariff posted by Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, a ride starts at $3.75 and adds $2.18 for each km. On that tariff the meter would show about $10 for 3 km. Anything spent waiting, plus extras, comes on top of it.
Put the exact building or entrance in your note to the driver. A short trip leaves little room for a missed connection, so a driver who cannot find you can eat up much of the saving.
If you are carrying a bike, lab equipment or a few shopping bags, message the driver first and ask whether it fits. Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle should phone and book it ahead.
Leave a little slack even though the drive is only 8 minutes. Waiting for a car to arrive can take longer than the ride, and that part is not in any of the figures above. If you are in a hurry, request the car as you finish what you are doing instead of when you reach the door.