On the published taxi tariff the meter for this trip would run to about $32, while a standard rideshare is about $28 at normal demand, so rideshare tends to come out a few dollars cheaper when the app is quiet. The trip from BCIT Burnaby to Downtown Vancouver is 13 km and takes about 25 minutes. The likely range for a rideshare is $25 to $33.
Where the $28 comes from
The rate card behind this figure starts at a $2.50 base fare and adds $1.15 for every km, $0.35 for every minute and a $2 booking fee. Thirteen kilometres adds $14.95 and 25 minutes adds $8.75. With the base fare that is $26.20, and the booking fee brings it to about $28.
None of this is Uber’s own pricing, only our working from averages. The Uber app shows the real upfront price, and that is the number you pay. If it lands far from ours, the difference usually comes from demand at that moment.
Busy periods raise the fare. At a multiplier of 1.2 expect about $33, at 1.5 about $41, and at a peak multiplier of 2 about $54. Because the gap between normal and peak is $26, a quick look at the app before you leave is worth the few seconds.
Comfort, XL, Premier and the taxi option
For extra room or a newer car, Comfort is about $35, XL (up to 6 seats) about $40 and Premier about $61 at normal demand. XL is the one to look at if you are travelling as a group, since splitting $40 can undercut two separate cars.
Both Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi charge a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 for each km on their posted tariff. For 13 km the meter estimate is about $32. That leaves out waiting and extras, which means the final fare can only go up from there.
Practical tips for a campus pickup
A campus usually has more than one place a car can stop, so a few small habits save time.
- Check the pickup pin in the app and move it if it sits on the wrong side of the site.
- Share your exact address or building name in the note to the driver.
- Allow extra time if you are catching something at the other end, since 25 minutes is an average and not a promise.
- Ask the driver by message whether bags or equipment will fit before you commit to a standard car.
- Book an accessible vehicle by phone ahead of time if you need one.