Fair price for a driver/guide ...

We are going to just charter drivers this year. Have any of you folks paid for a guide/driver for say 3/4 or a whole day? Trying to get an idea before we contact a couple. One of the trips we are looking at is someone to go to sav market, Times Square, the craft market, and then late lunch with us. Cindi is wanting me to only use a board reccomended driver this year. Trying to figure out a fair price to take the majority of someone's time. Probably not a lot of actual travel, lot of hurry up and wait... Or tag along in the case of sav market.

We like (the remainder of this post has been removed as the driver mentioned is not a legal taxi.)

Not looking for a driver suggestion (but thanks). Just trying to gauge pricing for this amount of time.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

We are going to just charter drivers this year. Have any of you folks paid for a guide/driver for say 3/4 or a whole day? Trying to get an idea before we contact a couple. One of the trips we are looking at is someone to go to sav market, Times Square, the craft market, and then late lunch with us. Cindi is wanting me to only use a board reccomended driver this year. Trying to figure out a fair price to take the majority of someone's time. Probably not a lot of actual travel, lot of hurry up and wait... Or tag along in the case of sav market.

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H,

High season or low?

Cap

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

Not looking for a driver suggestion (but thanks). Just trying to gauge pricing for this amount of time.

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Sorry, didn't catch that clearly.

Also, sorry Rob.

TAH,

No worries. We have been urging him to get legal - he is a good friend!

Grey area, capt'n. Nov 21-30. Technically low, I guess.

I think you are looking at around $200. Gas is really expensive in JA, so keep that in mind. You're also paying for the driver's time, obviously.

200 a day seems rather excessive . . . really? ppl must have a lot of money to afford these prices.

The price for a driver and a vehicle for a day is as much a function of the distance to travel as well as the time you want to use him. I pay @ $100 US to go to MoBay from my home in Accompong Town one way or round trip because the driver has to make the trip both ways anyways. If you wanted to take a Day Trip to Port Antonio from Negril then I think $200 might be a bargain.

Ya'll check with Linston.

We're very fair and reasonable

cap

Port Antonio? Heavens no. I want someone to go to sav la mar, Times Square, craft market and then sit down to lunch with us, probably chicken lavish. Did get a price in PM for Linston, so we are all good. I will probably end up using the same person for dinners out, and the trip back to mobay.

As we draw closer, both the wife and I are really anxious about getting into unknown cars, but I am not sitting behind the wall for 10 days, either.

Anyway, thanks for input, appreciated.

As Accompong mentioned...it does depend on the amount of time & distance....but I've always guesstimated at $20-25us a hour...it's simplistic but it gives you an idea of what to expect.
If any of the drivers here would like to correct me, please feel free....but this guesstimate has worked for me so far...:).

Hussyband,

Haven't been on the island in a few years, but I hired various drivers on almost every trip. No need to repeat the good advice previously offered...

One of the advantages of using an experienced local driver is having him help negotiate purchases or recommend places to shop or off the beaten path places to visit and see. Sometimes they get a "commission" for recommending a friend, but it usually works to your advantage as you get better service, price or experience.

One of my best adventures was with Kenny and we spent the better part of a day and night travelling all over and stopping here and there for what ever. Best money I ever spent and don't even recall the cost, but I think I tipped him something like $100 US because his expertise added so much to the experience.

Enjoy,

VVHT

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Originally Posted by RyanP

I think you are looking at around $200. Gas is really expensive in JA, so keep that in mind. You're also paying for the driver's time, obviously.

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I've never paid anywhere near that amount for a whole day, and wouldn't unless (as Accompong says below) we're talking a very long distance drive using lots of gas.

Philip is the best you can find
http://negril.com/transport/phillips.htm

Just for some comparison. If I wanted to take a Private Taxi 80 miles here in the US, it would cost me about $200.00 http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.p...32560560000002

Roundtrip from Negril to my house in Accompong Town is 80 miles and I can get a driver and car to go there and back for $120. Now the petrol is more expensive there so that is even more of a cost to the driver plus he will take his time and stop whenever I want. I a private taxi here you pay everytime the car stops and the meter keeps running.

I know it is hard to compare but I think most transportation costs from the drivers I use are fare and reasonable.

Just wanted to add a little perspective.

Peace and Guidance

yes, but just to run around negril, that price is way out of line . . .

I was sort of basing it off my typical fare for an airport ride, $70. Honestly, I think driver prices are pretty fair (no pun intended) compared to US pricing. We take a car service from our home to the airport, that runs us $120 each way (a bit less this year, because we are not leaving in the middle of the night). Now that I think on it.lol having people cart us around is a huge expense on our trip... Air fare, car service to the airport, to the hotel, back to the airport and back home, and all the rides we take when there. It adds up.

Riu Negril to the Roundabout 10km (6.2 miles)
Sandals Negril to the Roundabout 7km (4.3 miles)
Margaretville to the Roundabout 3km (1.8 miles)
Whistling Bird to the Roundabout 2km (1.2 miles)
Barb-b-Barn to the Roundabout 1km (.6 miles)


Westender to the Roundabout 10km (6.2 miles)
Lighthouse to the Roundabout 7km (4.3 miles)
Sea star Road to the Roundabout 6km (3.7 miles)
Home Sweet Home to the Roundabout 3km (1.8 miles)
Mary's Bay to the Roundabout 2km (1.2 miles)

Distances are approximate...not much gas used puttering around Negril.


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Hussyband also mentioned a tour of Sav La Mar....not just puttering around Negril.

Hiring a private driver to spend the day with you is different than just having a driver take you from one place to the next...their time spent with you and being on call only for you is worth something also.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Hussyband also mentioned a tour of Sav La Mar....not just puttering around Negril.

Hiring a private driver to spend the day with you is different than just having a driver take you from one place to the next...their time spent with you and being on call only for you is worth something also.

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That's very true, but Sav is a pretty short ride away. I still think $100-130 is a very fair price for all concerned. You could probably do it for less, but I try not to beat people down too low. We all need to make money.

My bad...I should have posted, "just puttering around Negril and not going to Sav La Mar" you aren't using much gas.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Hussyband also mentioned a tour of Sav La Mar....not just puttering around Negril.

Hiring a private driver to spend the day with you is different than just having a driver take you from one place to the next...their time spent with you and being on call only for you is worth something also.

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When I contacted Linston I brought this fact up as well. The sav market guide is at a suggestion of a boardie in the thread regarding this tour. It should be mentioned however, the driver will have the benefit of a scintillating conversation from the wife and I, and a fantastic lunch at Chicken Lavish! :)

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

It should be mentioned however, the driver will have the benefit of a scintillating conversation from the wife and I, and a fantastic lunch at Chicken Lavish! :)

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Absolutely Hussyband...:) :)

Roughly 18 miles to Sav La Mar.
Gas in Jamaica 5 bucks a gallon.(?)
10 bucks round trip to Sav for gas ?

The cost per year to operate a red plate without gas, maintenance or advertising is about 250,000 JA a year.

After gas and maintenance a driver/owner in a private car (not a van or bus) might make 15,000 a week and that's for long hours on a route.

During "season" those who do tourist business will do better but it's a four month season and even longer hours and much more wear and tear on the vehicle.

Using the price of gas as a guideline for a fair price is ........ (?)

cap

Papa Georgie - yes, gas is just over $5us a gallon here...and depending on the day or time of day, don't forget driving through the crowd in Sav...more gas burnt!

Maybe I am missing your point? But, are you saying that a driver should only be paid for his gas, not his time? It's a business they're running...nevermind the insurance, wear & tear etc of the vehicle.

No, of course I'm not saying that the price of gas is the only material to be considered. And thank you Cap for some enlightening numbers.
The driver's time of course is a somewhat (I said somewhat) less objective value in the calculation, No?

The topic of the thread is a fair price for a driver...just musing on how to determine that.

I would imaging buying tyres after driving on those crappy roads all year could eat up ALL your profit.

For a driver who abandons you in the Craft Market (true story) or scares you witless with his driving or allows you the be higgled everywhere you go ....no price is low enough.

A driver who treats you and your wishes with respect and looks after you from hello to see you again and makes that day a very special memory ....priceless

True Cap. I never short my drivers. Damned hard life they lead.

After certain "incidents" reported last year relative to taxi's, I've changed my taxi habits.
I bought a cell phone last year and kept my list of trusted drivers #s on it. It seemed that
if a driver knew that I had a phone and would punch him in...I got better service. Of course
I could be imagining that. Come to think of it I probably am!

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Originally Posted by Papa Georgie

True Cap. I never short my drivers. Damned hard life they lead.

After certain "incidents" reported last year relative to taxi's, I've changed my taxi habits.
I bought a cell phone last year and kept my list of trusted drivers #s on it. It seemed that
if a driver knew that I had a phone and would punch him in...I got better service. Of course
I could be imagining that. Come to think of it I probably am!

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One of those incidents is exactly why I am chartering this year. While I want to get off the beaten path and see other places this year, I'll be doing it with a board recommended driver. Some of the stories I have read on this very board about people using the same driver year after year has made me wonder why I have not been doing this. There are some pretty amusing trip reports where the driver has been an integral part of the visitors experience. In a way, it was for me last year... Just not how I wanted :)

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Originally Posted by captaind

For a driver who abandons you in the Craft Market (true story) or scares you witless with his driving or allows you the be higgled everywhere you go ....no price is low enough.

A driver who treats you and your wishes with respect and looks after you from hello to see you again and makes that day a very special memory ....priceless

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That is the absolute truth captaind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Gwhizman

Philip is the best you can find
http://negril.com/transport/phillips.htm

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I concur with Gwhizman.Very pleasant person to take you where you want to go.

We have a long time friend and red plate driver that has taken us to Oracabessa and back for many years. We leave early and get back late. We paid him $300 US the last couple years. Plus mama's home cooking when we get there. Sometimes I think mama looks forward to seeing him as much or more as she does us :)

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

We have a long time friend and red plate driver that has taken us to Oracabessa and back for many years. We leave early and get back late. We paid him $300 US the last couple years. Plus mama's home cooking when we get there. Sometimes I think mama looks forward to seeing him as much or more as she does us :)

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My two cents on this, and if it lacks value please let me know.

If you reflect on your trip the cost associated with a no hassle ride equals peace of mind, than does it really matter? Splitting hairs between $20 for a day is trivial. Did you have a great time, did your driver look out for all the details that are important to you? Negril offers up all sorts of great options and for me peace of mind is paramount. Squeezing out your budget with a reputable driver should have zero consideration. Make it up elsewhere if need be.

1. You could talk to the redplate driver(s) that is likely a regular outside your hotel. Since you only want to go here-and-there-and-that-place locally, have them drop you off and pick you up, don't force him to stay with you (except when going to Sav of course, and possibly the craft market). That way his time is his to catch a couple other fares while remaining alert for your calls. You will have a cell phone, right? Tell him you want an alternate driver's name and number that you can call if he's unable to come right away, or on his day off.

2. I like Bnewb's idea of $20-25/hour.

3. You keep bringing up lunch like its a big special bonus to the driver. This is not a criticism of your company but if he isn't making money he has other things to do with his time and could happily eat (when and where he wants) for much less than you will lay out for the dining experience YOU want. If you want him to accompany you to lunch, that is all on you, including paying for all of his TIME while dining with you.

Re: 3. Sorry that a joke is beyond your realm of understanding. When I told Bnewb he would get scintillating conversation and lunch, I assumed that the typical reader will get the joke.... She certainly did. I do get it that emoticons may not necessarily translate across all cultural divides as well.

No more advice, please... It's done, and some of you will turn anything into an argument or criticism as if it were a presentation on quantum physics. I always regret asking anything on this board because it just comes with the territory that a certain core group will come out with some sort of criticism or witticism that they think makes them look special. Lots of folks are helpful on this board, but some take it to the point where they are the know all, end all experts.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

Re: 3. Sorry that a joke is beyond your realm of understanding. When I told Bnewb he would get scintillating conversation and lunch, I assumed that the typical reader will get the joke.... She certainly did. I do get it that emoticons may not necessarily translate across all cultural divides as well.

No more advice, please... It's done, and some of you will turn anything into an argument or criticism as if it were a presentation on quantum physics. I always regret asking anything on this board because it just comes with the territory that a certain core group will come out with some sort of criticism or witticism that they think makes them look special. Lots of folks are helpful on this board, but some take it to the point where they are the know all, end all experts.

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This comment should be required reading... :)