It is 8 km from Departure Bay to Woodgrove Centre, a drive of about 15 minutes. At normal demand, a regular rideshare comes to roughly $19, and most fares should fall between $17 and $22.
How we reach $19
The estimate comes from average rideshare rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. Eight km adds $9.20 and 15 minutes adds $5.25. Add the $2.50 base and the subtotal is $16.95; the $2.00 booking fee lifts it to roughly $19.
The distance is the biggest piece. The per km charge adds $9.20, the per minute charge adds $5.25 and the booking fee adds $2.00, so the length of the route matters most.
When demand rises the price follows. Busy (1.2 times the fare) is about $22, very busy (1.5 times) about $27, and a peak (2 times) about $36. Treat these numbers as our own working from typical rates. Uber sets the actual fare, and its app displays the exact upfront amount.
For more space, expect roughly $23 for Comfort, $27 for XL (up to 6 seats) and $40 for Premier.
Taxi meters
We found two published tariffs for this area. Oceanside Taxi charges a $4.40 flag fee and $2.50 per km, which gives a meter of about $24 for this trip. Yellow Cab charges $3.90 plus $2.72 per km, about $26.
Waiting time and extras are not included in either figure. We have no phone numbers listed for this area, so ask the company directly if you want to confirm a price before you go.
The two meters are only about $2 apart, so the choice often comes down to which company has a car free and how soon it can arrive. Both figures are above the normal rideshare estimate and sit between the busy and very busy rideshare prices, so a look at the app first costs nothing.
Practical tips for a mall trip
Some of these apply to any ride that ends at a shopping centre.
- Look at the pickup spot in the app and share the exact entrance or street address you want.
- Ask whether your bags fit, and choose XL if you are a group or have a lot to carry.
- Anyone who needs an accessible car should arrange it before the day of the trip.
- Check that drivers are online before you plan around a ride, as smaller centres can have fewer cars.
Prices climb when many people ask for rides at once, so give yourself extra time and look at the app again before you confirm.