Check the pickup pin in the app before you do anything else, because on a short trip like this one a pin set on the wrong side of a building costs more time than the drive itself. From Downtown Kamloops to TRU the distance is 3 km and the ride takes about 8 minutes. At normal demand a standard rideshare costs about $11, and most rides should fall between $9 and $13.
What the ride costs and why
The estimate uses average rideshare rates: a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km and $0.35 per minute, plus a $2 booking fee. For 3 km and 8 minutes, the metered part comes to about $8.75 and the booking fee brings it near $11. A regional minimum fare of $3.95 exists, but a trip this long is well above it.
Our numbers come from average rates and are not Uber’s own prices. The app shows the actual upfront price when you request the ride, so rely on that figure.
Demand changes the total. At a busy time (multiplier 1.2) the fare is about $13. At very busy times (1.5) it is about $15, and at a peak (2) it is about $20. A short trip feels the jump less in dollars, but the percentage is the same as on a long one.
Planning the trip
Vehicle size and taxi quotes
If you are travelling with friends or carrying a lot of gear, Comfort is about $13, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $15 and Premier is about $22. For a taxi, we have no published tariff we could check for this area. Call a local company, give both addresses and ask what the fare will be. Waiting time and extras are separate from any meter figure.
Timing and pickup
Eight minutes in the car does not mean eight minutes door to door. Allow time for the driver to arrive, and a little more if classes start or finish around your trip, since many people may be requesting rides at once. Share the exact address or building name with the driver, and wait where the app says the pickup is. If you use a wheelchair or need extra space, book a suitable vehicle ahead instead of requesting one on the spot.
Because the trip is short, the booking fee is a large share of the total: $2 out of about $11. That is one reason a 3 km ride can seem expensive per kilometre, and also why two short rides cost noticeably more than one slightly longer one. If you are going and coming back the same day, compare the two prices in the app before you decide.