On this short hop, rideshare and taxi land at the same price. A standard rideshare from Surrey Central to Newton Exchange is about $17 at normal demand, and the Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi meter estimate is also about $17.
Distance, time and likely range
You will cover 6 km in roughly 15 minutes. At normal demand the rideshare range is $14 to $20, so the final price depends on the exact addresses and how busy it is when you book. A ride of 6 km is short enough that the booking fee and base fare make up a large share of the total, so even small changes in distance move the price only a little.
Working out the Newton Exchange rideshare fare
We worked these numbers out from average rideshare rates. They are estimates, not Uber’s prices, and the Uber app shows the real upfront fare.
The base fare is $2.50. Add $1.15 for each of the 6 km and $0.35 for each of the 15 minutes, and the subtotal is $14.65. The $2 booking fee brings it to about $17.
The regional minimum fare of $4.43 only applies to very short rides, and 6 km is well past that.
Demand multiplies the fare. Busy periods (1.2 times) come to about $20, very busy periods (1.5 times) to about $24, and peak pricing (2x) to about $31. Comfort is about $20, XL (up to 6 seats) is about $23, and Premier is about $35.
Taxi meter on the 6 km hop
Both companies publish a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per km. Over 6 km the meter reaches about $17. Time spent waiting and extra charges would come on top of that.
That means a taxi is the safer choice for budgeting. Its tariff stays put when the app is surging, so the fare you expect is close to the fare you pay. When demand is normal, the two options are almost equal and you can pick whichever has a car closer to you.
Booking a short ride
For a quick trip, a long wait can take more time than the drive itself, so check how far away the nearest car is before you accept the price.
Confirm the pickup pin in the app and give the driver the street address. Stand where the driver can see you, so the ride starts without a phone call.
If you are carrying more than a bag or two, say so in the booking notes. A driver who knows ahead of time can tell you if a standard car will do or if you should ask for XL.
If you use a wheelchair or need extra room, phone a taxi company a day ahead. Vancouver Taxi and Yellow Cab Vancouver list wheelchair accessible vehicles.