How much is an Uber from New Westminster Station to Richmond Centre? At normal demand a standard ride costs about $38, and the likely range is $34 to $44. The ride covers 20 km in about 30 minutes.
How 20 km and 30 minutes add up
The figure is an estimate built from average rates, not a price taken from Uber. We used a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 for each km, $0.35 for each minute and a $2 booking fee. Twenty km adds $23 and 30 minutes adds $10.50, which together with the base fare and booking fee gives $38.
When you open the Uber app, it shows the real upfront price. That number is the one that counts, and it can sit above or below ours.
Busy periods change the total a lot on a trip this long. At x1.2 demand the fare is about $45, at x1.5 it is about $56 and at x2 it reaches about $74. A difference of $36 between normal and peak is large enough to be worth a second look at the app before you confirm.
Other vehicle types and the taxi
Comfort is about $47. XL has up to 6 seats and costs about $54, while Premier is about $83. For a group of four or more with luggage, XL usually makes more sense than two cars.
Taxis are also an option. Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both publish a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per km, and for 20 km the meter would show about $47. That is close to the standard rideshare price at busy demand and well under the peak price. Waiting time and extras are not included in the meter estimate.
Before you go
On a half hour ride, small details matter. Look at the pickup pin and confirm the address with the driver in the app. Type the full destination instead of only the name of the shopping centre, so the driver sees the right place on the map.
If you have a flight, appointment or other fixed time at the other end, allow extra minutes beyond the 30 in the estimate. Busy times can stretch a drive, and a late start from the pickup is the most common reason.
If you need a vehicle with a ramp or lift, phone ahead. Vancouver Taxi and Yellow Cab Vancouver list wheelchair accessible vehicles, and booking before the day lets you pick the time you want rather than the time one is free.