Before you book, open the Uber app and enter both Richmond Centre and Ironwood Plaza. The upfront price on the screen is the one you pay, and it can differ from anything written here. Our estimate for this trip, which is 6 km and takes about 15 minutes, is $17 at normal demand. The likely range is $14 to $20.
Look at the pickup pin too. If it sits in the wrong spot, send your driver the exact address or entrance, because large buildings often have more than one.
Where the $17 comes from
The maths starts with typical rideshare rates, which are $2.50 as the base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and $2 for booking. Six kilometres adds $6.90 and fifteen minutes adds $5.25. With the base fare that makes $14.65, and the booking fee takes it to about $16.65, which we round to $17.
Treat the numbers as estimates built on average rates, and not as Uber’s prices. The app runs its own calculation each time you ask, so the figure you see may land a little above or below ours.
If the app shows a surge
Demand changes the number. At a busy 1.2 times the normal rate, you are looking at about $20. A very busy 1.5 times brings about $24, and a peak of 2 times reaches about $31.
Because the trip is short, a peak price can cost nearly twice what the ride is worth at normal demand. If the number jumps, wait a few minutes and check again, or compare it with the taxi meter below.
Larger cars and the taxi option
For the same trip, Comfort is about $20, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $23 and Premier is about $35. XL is the one to pick if you are travelling with a group or carrying bulky shopping, and it is worth asking the driver whether everything fits before you load up.
A taxi is the other choice. Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both publish a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per km, which puts the meter at about $17 for 6 km. That figure leaves out waiting time and any extras, so the final fare can come in higher.
If someone in your group needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle, book it ahead by phone instead of relying on the app to find one at short notice. Allow a few extra minutes for the car to arrive when demand is high, and have the exact meeting point ready before you call or tap to confirm.