How much will a ride from KPU Surrey to Surrey Central cost? A standard rideshare is about $19 at normal demand, with a likely range of $17 to $22. It is an 8 km drive of around 15 minutes.
Rideshare pricing for this trip
The $19 comes from average rates, not from Uber itself, so use it as a guide and let the Uber app give you the exact upfront price.
The rates behind the estimate are a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. Eight kilometres and 15 minutes give about $17 for the ride, and the booking fee lifts the total to $19.
Demand can change that quickly. A busy period moves the price to about $22, a very busy one to about $27, and a peak to about $36.
If you need space, Comfort is about $23, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $27 and Premier is about $40 at normal demand.
Choosing between the app and a taxi
What the taxi would cost
The published tariff for Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi is $3.75 to start plus $2.18 per km. For 8 km the meter would show about $21. Waiting time and extras are not included, so the final amount may be a little higher.
At normal demand the rideshare is about two dollars lower. At a very busy or peak price, the taxi is the better deal.
Practical points before you go
Students tend to leave at similar times, and that can raise prices when a day of classes ends. Check the app a few minutes before you plan to leave, and try again shortly after if the number looks high.
Share the exact pickup address and keep the pin where the driver can reach it. If you have bags, a bike or equipment, ask whether it fits before the car arrives. Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle should book ahead, and Yellow Cab Vancouver lists that service on 604-681-1111.
Give yourself a few extra minutes if you have a class, a shift or a connection waiting at the other end.
It also helps to look at more than one ride type before you book. The standard fare is the lowest, but XL costs only about $8 more and can be worth it if three or four of you travel together, since each person then pays a smaller share. Prices are checked again each time you request a ride, so a second look a few minutes later can show a different number.