Rideshare against taxi on this route
On the 22 km trip from Pitt Meadows to Surrey Central, a standard rideshare is about $42 at normal demand while a taxi meter comes to about $52. The drive takes about 35 minutes, and the rideshare price will usually fall between $37 and $49.
The rideshare figure is our estimate from average rates, not an Uber price. Open the Uber app with both addresses entered to see the real upfront price before you commit.
The taxi figure uses the published tariff of Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, which is a $3.75 flag fee plus $2.18 per km. Waiting time and extras are not included, so a real meter can finish higher.
How the rideshare estimate is worked out
The rate card has a base fare of $2.50, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2 booking fee. Here that means $2.50, plus $25.30 for the distance, plus $12.25 for the 35 minutes, plus the $2 fee.
Demand scales the fare before the booking fee. When it is busy, expect about $50. A very busy period gives about $62, and a peak at double the normal rate gives about $82. At those levels the taxi meter of $52 is cheaper than the app, so it is worth a call.
Bigger vehicles cost more. Comfort comes in at about $52, XL (up to 6 seats) at about $60 and Premier at about $92. A group of five or six pays less for one XL than for two standard cars at $42 each.
Pickup and payment tips for 35 minutes
A 35 minute ride is long enough that a wrong pickup spot costs real time. Share the exact address with the driver and check the pin in the app.
Allow extra time if you have a fixed appointment at the other end. Rush hour can stretch a trip, and the app may take longer to find a driver when many people are booking at once.
If you have large bags, tell the driver before pickup so they can confirm there is room. A rider who needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle should phone a taxi company ahead of time instead of waiting for one to appear in the app.
Paying by card in the app fixes the price at booking. With a taxi, ask whether the driver accepts cards before the trip begins, and ask roughly what the fare will be so there are no surprises.