On this 8 km run from Port Moody to Lougheed, a rideshare usually comes out slightly cheaper than a taxi: about $19 against a meter estimate near $21. The drive takes around 15 minutes.
The rideshare price
At normal demand the likely range is $17 to $22. We reach that figure from average rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee.
The distance accounts for $9.20 (8 km) and the time for $5.25 (15 minutes). With the base fare that is $16.95, and the booking fee takes it to about $19.
Treat the figures above as averages, since Uber sets the actual fare. The Uber app will show the real upfront amount.
Surge pricing between Port Moody and Lougheed
Prices climb when many people want a car at once. At 1.2 times the normal rate you would pay about $22. At 1.5 times it is about $27, and at double the rate the trip reaches roughly $36.
If your plans are flexible, a quick look at the app a few minutes before you leave can save you a noticeable amount. The gap between the normal fare and the peak fare here is about $17, which is close to the cost of the whole trip at a quiet time.
The taxi meter does not rise with demand in the same way, so on a busy evening the tariff can be the cheaper of the two. A phone call to either company takes a minute and gives you a number to compare.
Taxi and larger vehicles
The tariff is the same at Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi, a $3.75 flag fee with $2.18 added per km. On 8 km the meter comes to about $21. That leaves out waiting time and any extras, so treat it as a floor rather than a final bill.
Bigger rideshare options cost more. A Comfort car is priced at about $23, an XL (up to 6 seats) at about $27 and a Premier at about $40.
Pickup and accessibility notes
Check the pickup spot the app proposes and move there instead of waiting wherever you happen to stand. Drivers can only follow the pin you give them.
A wheelchair accessible vehicle is best arranged with a phone call to a taxi company beforehand. Vancouver Taxi and Yellow Cab Vancouver both list accessible service for the wider area, though we cannot say how quickly either can reach Port Moody.
Travelling with several people or large bags? Pick XL when you book, because asking a driver on arrival whether everything fits can lead to a cancelled ride.