How much is an Uber from BCIT Burnaby to Lougheed? At normal demand a standard ride is about $25, and the likely range is $22 to $30. Expect 12 km on the road and roughly 20 minutes behind the wheel.
What goes into the $25
We got to that number with average rideshare rates, so it is not a quote from Uber. We start with a $2.50 base fare, add $1.15 for each of the 12 km ($13.80) and $0.35 for each of the 20 minutes ($7.00), and that makes $23.30. A $2 booking fee on top gives about $25.
The real figure is the upfront price in the Uber app. Our number is a guide for checking it.
Time makes up a good share of the total on a trip like this. Twenty minutes at $0.35 is $7.00, so a slow drive nudges the fare up even when the distance stays at 12 km. The upfront price already reflects the app’s own estimate of the trip, which is why it can differ a little from ours.
Prices climb with demand. A busy multiplier of 1.2 brings the fare to about $30, a very busy 1.5 to about $37, and the peak 2 to about $49. If the quote on your screen is near the last of those, waiting a short while and looking again may help.
For a bigger or higher grade car, Comfort is about $31, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $36 and Premier is about $54.
Taxi comparison and tips
Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi publish a tariff with a $3.75 flag fee and $2.18 per km. At 12 km the meter would come to about $30, which is the same as the busy rideshare price. The meter estimate does not include waiting time or extras.
Campuses tend to have more than one gate or drop area, so settle the pickup point in the app and then repeat it in a message to the driver. Name the building if you can. If you are heading to the station or another appointment, add a buffer to the 20 minutes, since that is a typical drive and not a guarantee.
Travelling with a group, a few bags or gear? Ask the driver whether it all fits before they arrive, or choose XL. If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, phone a taxi company ahead and book it for a set time. A confirmed booking is more dependable than hoping a suitable car turns up nearby.