What to Look for in a Route Taxi

October 6th - 8th, 2016

Now that all the route taxis have gone through their new licensing requirements, to promote safety for all the island passengers, the government has required changes in the look of route taxis to make them unmistakable. The above photo shows what all Jamaicans now look for before using a route taxi. Although it is always best for a visitor to use a legal chartered red plate taxi like all the drivers in our Transport section, a route taxi can be needed at times. So to insure your safety, always look for the new black and white checker pattern that surrounds the car, the yellow "Taxi" light on top of the vehicle, and the writing on the front doors explaining the driver's route. You should understand the locations of the route (ie. Lucea/Negril, Negril Beach or West End) and know of these locations. If any of these items are missing, or the route is unfamiliar to you, do not get in the vehicle. Be safe and wait until the next one comes along. And under no circumstance should you pay for a ride from a white plate vehicle as both you and the driver are breaking the law. Be aware and travel safely. To help you find the perfect place to stay, you can check out our boutique properties in our Hotels section!

Click for Previous or Next story