Rideshare and taxi come out about $9 apart on this trip. A standard rideshare from UBC to Metrotown is about $38 at normal demand, while the taxi meter on a published tariff comes to about $47.
Trip basics
The distance is 20 km and the drive takes about 30 minutes. The likely rideshare range is $34 to $44. Both prices below are estimates, so treat them as a way to compare the two options before you open the app.
How the rideshare number is built
We start from average rates: a $2.50 base fare, $1.15 per km, $0.35 per minute and a $2.00 booking fee. The first three are added and multiplied by a demand factor, then the booking fee goes on.
Uber does not publish these numbers; we worked them out ourselves. The Uber app shows the real upfront price, so use that to decide.
Busy periods change the picture. At 1.2 times normal demand you would see about $45, at 1.5 times about $56, and at double the normal rate about $74. At the busiest level, the rideshare costs more than the meter figure above.
Larger vehicles and the meter
Comfort is about $47 at normal demand. XL, with up to 6 seats, is about $54, and Premier is about $83.
For the taxi, Whalley Taxi and Royal City Taxi both publish a flag fee of $3.75 and $2.18 per km. At 20 km that gives about $47 on the meter. Anything for waiting or extras would be added at the end.
A taxi meter does not carry a demand multiplier in this estimate, so it can suit you when app prices are high.
Booking from a campus to a shopping area
Give the driver the building name or street address where you will wait. A general campus location leaves too much guessing, and a driver who cannot find you may cancel or wait at the wrong spot.
Look at the pickup spot the app proposes before you confirm. If it sits far from where you are standing, move your pin or message the driver.
Metrotown is a large shopping and transit area. Check the pickup point the app suggests if you return by car, and tell the driver if you plan to stand somewhere else.
Ask whether bags and boxes fit before loading. If your group is large, compare the XL price with two separate cars.
A rider who needs wheelchair access should phone a company and arrange the car before travel day. At peak hours, add extra time to your plans.