Rideshare and taxi come out close together on this trip. A standard rideshare from New Westminster Station to Lougheed is about $19 at normal demand, while a taxi meter on a published tariff reaches roughly $21.
The trip in numbers
Expect 8 km of driving, about 15 minutes. The likely range for a standard rideshare is $17 to $22, depending on the driver’s route and how the app is pricing that minute.
These are estimates worked out from average rates. None of this is Uber’s own pricing, and the real figure is the upfront price the app shows ahead of confirming.
Where the $19 comes from
Our estimate uses a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 for each km, $0.35 for each minute and a $2 booking fee. On this trip that means $2.50 to start, about $9.20 for distance and about $5.25 for time. Add the booking fee and you land near $19.
Demand multiplies the ride portion of that price. When it is busy (x1.2) expect about $22. When it is very busy (x1.5) the figure is closer to $27, and at peak (x2) it can reach $36.
If you need a bigger car
Comfort, which is a newer car with extra legroom, is about $23. XL seats up to 6 people and is about $27, which can work out cheaper per person than two separate cars. Premier is about $40.
Choose XL if you are carrying bags or travelling with a group. Ask the driver before you set off if you are unsure that everything fits.
Taxi meter and pickup tips
On the published tariff of Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, the flag fee is $3.75 and each km costs $2.18. For 8 km the meter would come to about $21. Waiting time and extras are not included in that figure, so the final bill can be a little higher.
For either kind of ride, open the app before you leave and look at the pickup pin. If it sits somewhere other than where you are standing, move it or message the driver. Give the exact drop off address too, so the driver does not have to guess which entrance you want.
Allow a few extra minutes at busy times. A short trip like this one can look cheap at midday and then jump when many people are requesting rides at once, so check the price again if you are not in a hurry. Paying by card in the app is simple, and a taxi driver can tell you at the start whether the car takes cards.