Chances are the ones that are stopping to ask you if you need a ride are charter taxis, not route taxis. There are many more charter taxis than route taxis.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
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Chances are the ones that are stopping to ask you if you need a ride are charter taxis, not route taxis. There are many more charter taxis than route taxis.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
IW,Quote:
Originally Posted by irieworld
Charter taxis would go out of business if they refused to accept $5us for some of their trips. I dont know of many drivers would refuse us$5 for many of their trips.
When you ask a route taxi to go off their route, then it automatically becomes a charter. The protocol is simply to ask them - such as "can you take me to "ABC" for an extra j$150?"
Place the blame for the $25us you paid to get to HiLo on capitalism. Apparently at that point, you thought us$25 seemed like a fair price. Dont blame yourself or the driver - it was a learning experience.
And knowledge is power.
Well, that helpful information, Rob. I didn't realize that the taxis that stopped for you were charters. Ok, this is good to go then. I can negotiate from that point and just avoid route taxis and the charters sitting at the hotel.
Route taxi's always try to get my business when I'm walking the beach road -- perhaps "stop to ask if I need a ride" is not literally what they do, but when a route taxi honks, pulls over and leans toward the passenger door, or leans out their window, it's a pretty clear sign they want my business. Or the ones that do a u turn so they can pull up next to you - that's pretty clear as well.
Some of the information in this thread is mind boggling.
Thanks to all, especially Irieworld & Rob for responding to my questions.
It seems that it's safe to say that I won't be solicited for a ride except by charter taxis. I just make sure they have a red plate & then I make my offer & wait for agreement before getting in the cab.
I guess I'll learn a lot more once I get there, as I haven't been able to determine if I raise my hand to flag a taxi if both route & charter taxis would stop. It would be clearer to me if route taxis had designated stops along the road, such as bus stops. But that doesn't appear to be the case. It seems that there isn't room to allow that on the streets.
It also appears that charter taxis do not charge pp, as route taxis do. Am I correct? So Rob, when you mentioned most charter cabs would accept $500 JMD beach to cliffs, that would be for 2 people (as well as 1)? I get your point that it's all negotiable, but I don't want to attempt to negotiate for a price acceptable for one person, when there are two of us riding. The number of people riding variable is confusing as private airport transfers seem to be quoted pp, or "1 - 3" etc. To get to the point, do charters typically negotiate pp or per trip?
Thanks for your patience, time & help!
If headed to the beach from the West End with two people offer $500j for both people. This past year on two trips I made the trek numerous times and that is always what I offered and it was always accepted without hesitation. If I was by myself I offered $300J. $100J to the roundabout, $100J to the beach, and the other $100J for not making me get out and hop in another taxi for the beach leg. Again, I'm not sure what others do, but I do know that it has worked for me.
Route taxi's charge $100J per leg, however as Rob and others have pointed out you can offer a route taxi the example as I outlined above and he now is a chartered taxi and not a route taxi. I always told the drivers to pick up others along the way as I enjoy the interaction with the friendly locals. I get my ride for a great value and others are not passed up and in the end the driver is making a little money.
Do yourself a favor and do not over think it. You will be fine if you use common sense and stay in red plates and offer the fare and wait for the acceptance of said fare before getting in.
This is exactly how I approach it also. Never had a problem in 12 years. None of the dozens of newbies I've brought have ever had a problem when they have followed this simple method.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
The key phrase above is "Do yourself a favor and do not over think it. You will be fine if you use common sense and stay in red plates and offer the fare and wait for the acceptance of said fare before getting in".
Right - thanks.
What was throwing me off was the idea that I shouldn't be using route taxis. It seems if a red plate stops for me, I just look at it that he wants my business, route cab or not. And if I want to ride further than the route posted on the side of the car, I ask before getting in & we agree on price. Period. I won't worry about the rest.
I'll leave it to those who feel tourists shouldn't use route taxis to come up with a solution, while still deferring to those passengers who are obviously local working people where possible - that's if by chance that a route taxi stops for me before a charter.
Thanks! Time to move on & start packing!
Good thread....thanks for the responses Rob.
LOL it sure is!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurse Marcia
Of course I am NOT joking Rob.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
Nine or ten years ago after visiting with a JA lady friend I watched her CHOOSE her ride to get home that night. Taxi would pull up, she would look inside, say something to the driver and he would drive off. She declined several cars before getting in one. I have witnessed other Jamaicans doing the same thing. I have asked Jamaicans about this and they say yes, they don't get into just any red plate, there are only certain drivers they will ride with, especially at night.
I have EXPERIENCED a driver not happy because I would not get in his car. I was going to another town and the person I was going to visit said to make sure I was not the only passenger in the car when it leaves. These cars/routes typically do not move until the vehicle is full, as they go direct from point A to point B. There were several cars for that destination, all empty. I spoke with one driver what my friend had requested, I may have even had them talk with my friend, I don't recall. A few minutes later that driver had a couple kids in his van and was ready to go, but he refused to take me with him. Another driver came to me and explained at that time of day, there aren't enough passengers traveling to fill the car, they move with 1 or 2. I phoned my friend and they talked to the driver. The driver called to another person to come in the car. I thought that person was just being used as 'filler' but they got out along the route and paid.
I recently asked a Jamaican how to handle 'choosing' a ride on the street . He said not to just say No or No Thanks to the driver, as they may not stop for you another time (he has lived in JA and taken route taxis all his life). He said to say "Mi not ready yet". This works really well in the bus park where I like to observe and choose my ride instead of being rushed and herded into a car.
This also works great for declining white plate cars, without having to get into the 'red plate vs white plate' debate with them, which just makes them pissy.
I then asked how to handle it if I don't have a good vibe about the driver or the passengers in the car. If, after I say "Mi not ready yet" the driver asks "Why not?" to say "Mi waiting for someone". He said that way it won't be taken personally and everyone can move on with their business.
Same experience for me as Nurse Marcia, most of the red-plate cars that beep or pull up to see if I want a ride are regular route taxis, NOT charter taxis. Its their business to pick up passengers along the route, so they are always soliciting for riders as well as picking up those who are clearly waiting for them. If its a red plate (even if not a route vehicle), I pay the standard route fare, period.
Also, in my experience, charters are parked vehicles that wait for someone to want them, soliciting to folks nearby (outside of hotels and stores). I don't notice them driving up and down the road asking folks to charter them (but maybe I just haven't noticed).
Asking a route driver to take you up a lane does NOT (in MY experience) turn a route ride into a more costly chartered ride. As we are driving along the route I ask the driver if he can do it, he in turn asks the other passengers if its okay (or tells them what he is going to do). I get to my destination, pay the standard fare plus extra fare for the detour, DONE.
IMO the easiest way to have a route taxi ride, is to be a route taxi passenger. Get in the car along the route, or from the bus park, or other known areas where route taxis queue up. Know the fare before you get in. Get in, say hello, ride. Shortly before your stop indicate to the driver your stop is coming. Pay the standard fare and get out or get out and then pay. Don't make a big deal of the ride and a big deal will not be made of you or the fare you pay.
Benefit of using charter red plates: One of the charter drivers I use told me that he and the other charter drivers have received additional training above what a route driver has. This training is for the benefit of tourists and visitors, he said it included some medical training, I don't recall what else. It bothers him that tourists use the route taxis, as he has paid for this training, and can provide the additional services.
*****
BTW, red plate does not guarantee (perhaps) anything, beyond a licensed and insured ride for paying customers. I once had a route driver ask if there were any young girls for him where I was staying. He wasn't joking. I told him to stop the car and I got out immediately.
Disclaimer: these are my personal experiences. Your knowledge and experience may be different than mine. Use your own sense in similar matters. I am responsible for me, you are responsible for you.
Awesome additional info Lola. You filled in a lot of the little blanks. Thank you!
Lola is correct in regards to replying with a NO or No Thanks.the more correct etiquette (if u want to call it that) is to say" I'm (mi) not ready" or "waiting for someone..".Saying as we foreigners normally would No or No thanks-is taken as a slight by some drivers..And Yes, they're plenty of drivers (red or white) that i will not take a ride from-either they're personal attitude and/or the driving habits...No, i just wave my hand and let them go on their way.
Lola brings up some interesting information, but I am not sure how really useful it is for most visitors to Jamaica.
The situation she is talking about, especially for Jamaican women, refers to residents (person living in the area) choosing which taxi to take. These people LIVE in the area and have thousands of daily experiences with drivers. They have their favorite drivers that they regularly use. They have drivers that they do not like and will not get in their vehicles. Visitors to the island do not fall into this category, as they dont live here and they dont have years of daily experience with the various drivers. They are here for their vacation, and there is no chance that driver will not pick them up if they say "no thanks" instead of "mi not ready yet". A simple "no thanks" will work just fine.
As for taking a route taxi off their route - the fact she requested the diversion, the driver asks permission from the other passengers and then she paid an additional amount does essentially change the route taxi definition. They are no longer on their route and she is no longer paying just the route taxi rate. Thus is has become a charter by definition, albeit a short charter.
As for the bus park experience going to another town, once again, this is something that the vast majority of visitors to Jamaica would never need to worry about.
The red plate taxi is ALWAYS the way to go for visitors to the island.
Suzen,Quote:
Originally Posted by suzengrace
If a simple "no thanks" by a tourist is taken as a slight to some drivers, how would you suppose your "wave my hand" gesture be taken should a tourist take your advice and just "wave their hand"? For a visitor to the island, where is the logic in that statement for them to understand?
To all,
It seems some people are trying to make this simple concept more confusing than necessary. There is no reason not to say "no" or "no thanks" to any legal taxi. They will not take it as a slight. They hear it every single day.
There was a crazy thread a month or two ago where a few people were claiming that Jamaica vendors would be confused by "no thanks". As was pointed out in that thread - THESE PEOPLE WORK IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. They deal with tourists every single day. There is no possible way that they will be confused or slighted by a visitor to Jamaica should the visitor say "no thanks".
Any legal red plate taxi that stops and asks if you need a ride is perfectly fine to take. They have the space and the time (otherwise they wouldnt have stopped) so there is no reason not to take them. As always, determine the fare before getting in the vehicle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
looks like someone is going to start having to make some more phone calls and interviews to check this stuff out lmao.
Route Taxi 100J from beach to downtown, 100J from downtown to cliffs per person plus tip. Very simple, safe...nuff said!
I'm posting again on this subject because it sounds like a couple of folks don't really believe you can get a charter cab from the beach to deep west for 500 J, which is about 6 north american dollars, give or take.
It's not just for one persosn. Linda and I have really never paid more than this! (plus a tip of usually 100 J. I'm not cheap)
Let me point out; this is in the daytime, not late at night and not at busy times.
Drivers are quite happy to carry us for this amount of money.
We also take route taxi's on a regular basis, and we do wait for a cab with at least one other person in it so there is absolutely no confusion about what kind of taxi ride we are seeking. We also always pay 3 fares when we ride in a route taxi because we're larger people and want to be as fair as possible.
well I like what people are starting to say about how the different taxis in jamaica fell out to serve different kinds of clients.
many people complain about jamaica's crazy roads and drivers, then think it's cool to use route cabs...when those are sort of a driver of the problem they also complain about. pardon the pun.
i also like what a few people seem to have started to conclude about using route cabs vs charter...generally you can negotiate a pretty approximate price all things considered, at least within a few bucks, and just run charter. not saying i am one of the people who are adamantly opposed to tourists or visitors using route cabs, but in general and especially during shift changes it just seems to make a lot more sense to support charters when people can...
"Saying as we foreigners normally would No or No thanks-is taken as a slight by some drivers"
That has never been my experience. If I do not want something, be it a bracelet a ride or a piece of fruit I say "no thank you" with a smile and I've never been on the receiving end of hostility. Ever. "Mi not ready" or anything similar to that has not ever come out of my mouth. And this is most definitely NOT my first rodeo, lol.
Melody - I've always been of the opinion that as a first-timer one should hook up with a "regular" driver to show them around/the ropes/the lay of the land before jumping into route taxis or anything more local like that. But that's only my opinion - that's what worked for me and others I know. The cheapest mode of transportation is to WALK - Negril is a very easily walked town for the most part and I heartily disagree with Rhodes comment about walking West End Road as being "unsafe". During the day, with your wits about you and paying attention its a lovely walk to any point on that road. How else are you going to be able to discover stuff for yourself if not walking by and deciding to stop in somewhere? Zipping around in a taxi, on a scooter or in a bus doesn't allow for that spontaneous exploration - the world goes by too fast. Plus - the excersize factor is always great, I always lose weight when I'm here. So your first line of attack is good ol' "Fred and Ethel" (feet) - then you can make your own decisions based on your research and more importantly your GUT.
Look - I don't much care who takes a route taxi or doesn't or for what reasons they do or don't. My concern in posting this is about safety - that's all. I've shared my personal knowledge and experience as well as the fruits of discussion I've had with my neighbors and friends on the matter over the past week.
As the Dalai Lama says - you can take it to heart - or leave it alone.
PS: They caught the guy that robbed and beat that couple I mentioned that I'd met. The guy remembered the license plate.
To CLARIFY, my comments about this are NOT about taxis that beep or pull up as a person is walking along (similar to vendors asking you to buy a bracelet etc). In that case I shake my head or a horizontal wave with my hand. The situation I am referring to is when a person is on the road, and WANTS a taxi to stop for them. But a white plate pulls up first, and you know you don't want that. Or a red plate pulls up but something doesn't look or feel right about the situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by rastagirl777
No offence Lola...but you're getting messages/information that you don't seem to be understanding & you're really over thinking this whole thing.
I could give you many other tidbits for someone that stays for a very long term or for someone new that has just moved here...but the reality of me taking a route taxi as someone who lives here, is different than the person who is visiting short term. I find your information confusing & unnecessary for the average tourist.
And, before you think it...yes, we do have a car but I'm still a woman in Negril that takes taxis & Rob took taxis daily for 18 years.
This doesn't need to be more complicated than it already appears.
And in this instance, for a visitor to the island to say "no thanks" will not be taken as a slight. There is no need to over think such a simple concept. If you dont want to get in that particular red plate for any reason - that is your right! There is no need to explain anything. A simple "no thanks" will suffice in every single case.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lola
And there is never any reason to get into a white plate illegal taxi. A "no thanks" will work just fine - no need to get into any detailed explanation with the driver - just say "no thanks". If they get angry at you, so what? They are an illegal taxi and you are not under obligation to use their services. Chances are anything you would say would make them angry - so a simple "no thanks" will work just as well as anything else. As the saying goes, you cant fix stupid.
I agree on the white plate/red plate taxi option as a tourist shouldn't even consider a white plate and a "no thanks" is the best discussion ender.
I would like to add that where I live in Accompong Town (in the bush), there sometimes isn't a red plate option. If you want to go to Maggotty or Santa Cruz you have to take what you can get and that often is a white plate "personally owned" vehicle or you just can't get there at all.
When there is a red plate taxi I use it every time but sometimes it just can't be helped when you live off the beaten path.
Peace and Guidance
Great thread, very informative.
Going to Jamaica with 3 others soon and we'll all be kindly abiding by the red plate rules. We've already reached out to several local taxi options transporting us from the Airport to Hotel, i think its down to Clive's and Gerry's...
hopefully we find one we can stick with and use the whole time
Sorry, but I missed it and I'm a bit lost. Rob, could you please explain again about how "the impact that visitors using route taxis has on the public transportation system in Negril"...Or direct me to the thread. We're always there in high season and there are always so many empty red plates going by, and I'm not getting how it can be a bad thing for any of the red plates and/or locals. I could see if every tourist there is using the route taxi system, but that will never be the case. The majority I would think, wouldn't be comfortable with it.
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by rastagirl777
oh really..!!!..???
i'd like to hear/read HOW it's impacting,
'cause i'm having a VERY-hard time imagine-ing this being the case
mi-thinks some somebodys are pulling your leg(s)
the only-way i can see a negative(?) impact,
is that the charter-taxi and the other tour-taxi operators are complaining because they might be impacted a little by folks not using their hyper-inflated (price-wise) psuedo-limo services.
over the years the ONLY complaint i've ever heard, is from charter & tour taxi men who hate the fact that more & more tourist KNOW and are aware of the route-taxi system. They want the foriegner/tourist-folks to no-know:::: i.e., ignorance is bli$$ (for them, the taxi-folks)
from my about-20-years of riding route-taxis around Negril, i see no-way that foreigners/tourist using the system will do-harm to folks going back & forth to work.
NO way....!!!!....
for example,
some mentioned not ride-ing during *peak*-periods
lol
lol
lol
WHEN is that..???...
do tell
lol
lol
lol
let's *ass-sume* the first-shift rush-hour peak period is in the morning
....my observations is/are that there ain't NO-tourist riding route-taxis at 5, 6, 7, 8 AM in the morning
additionally,
let's *ass-sume* that the next peak-period is sometime around 4, 5, or 6 PM.
....here-again,
AIN'T that many tourists riding route-taxis (or any taxis)
....because::::>>> my observation(s) have been that after 4-PM all the tourists seem to disappear.... because they're burned-out and recoup-ing from daytime fun-time, and getting ready for dinner.
plus, since the sun goes down about 5:30 PM-ish,
most foreigner/tourists are too-scared (un-necessarily so) to venture-out after dark
IF:::>> as suggested by your post:::>> there're so sooooooooooooo-many tourists riding route-taxis, there'd be MORE-route taxis put into service to run up & down the beach & cliff roads on the Beach-Route and the WestEnd-Route ..... there's no way the Negril-taxi industry is going to let that money (from tourists AND Negril-workers) get away from them::::: they'd be SURE to have enough route-taxis to handle the demand/need.
again::::>>> i wanna hear/read more of what those resident-folks told you, please please please
were those *residents* residing in Negril..??..
were those *residents* ex-pats with skin in the taxi-game..??..
do those *residents* have ties to the tour/charter-taxi-game..??..
.
.
.
.
p.s. ----- my observation/experience has been that a lot of ex-pats, or folks who spend a lot of time in Negril, get sucked-up into the *game*, and too-frequently skew the information to enhance the profits of the Negril tourist industry.
no biggie
i understand where *they* coming from & why they skew
my stylee is to:::::>>> ALL-ways consider the source when you read & ponder & consider the information provided.
dittoQuote:
Originally Posted by CarrieBean
'cause all i *see* is a positive impact for all concerned.
if there's some negative-impact,
i too would looooooooooooooove to hear/read about it.
Amen to Smith744...
.
.
.
p.s. ----- my observation/experience has been that a lot of ex-pats, or folks who spend a lot of time in Negril, get sucked-up into the *game*, and too-frequently skew the information to enhance the profits of the Negril tourist industry.
no biggie
i understand where *they* coming from & why they skew
my stylee is to:::::>>> ALL-ways consider the source when you read & ponder & consider the information provided.[/QUOTE]
I concur.....
Getting Around Negril 101
.
.
THISQuote:
Originally Posted by rastagirl777
is VERY-important...!!!...
IF you're going to Negril,
FIRST-thing:::>> look at a map
get the '.lay of the land.'
it's waay-TOO easy easy..!!...
there're ONLY THREE ROADS to worry about
.
.
Attachment 9700
1....there's NO-way you can get lost
2.... most tourist just deal with two-roads
...e.g., the Beach and WestEnd roads
[[ to be continued ]]
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
The Beach Road Route
Runs from the Rui resorts to the car/bus-park
Cost... JA $100 per person one-way.
.
.
Taxi is marked '..Beach Road..'
on the side of the car
.
.
.
Attachment 9701.
.
i'll explain more about the BeachRoad taxi & route, in a later post
..a few minor details
.
[[ to be continued ]]
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
The WestEnd Road Route
Runs from the deep westend, past the lighthouse to the car/bus-park
Cost... JA $100 per person one-way.
.
.
Taxi is marked '..West End..'
on the side of the car
.
.
Attachment 9702
.
.
[[ to be continued ]]
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
To Hail a Route Taxi
.
.
Attachment 9703
.
.
[[ to be continued ]]
.
.
I'll explain the *Special* hand signal later
I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread now. ;)
Please, go on.......
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
About WestEnd Road Route
WHERE to catch taxi
.
.
Attachment 9704
.
.
on map above, '.X.' marks the spot of
the primary pick-up point is in the shopping center parking lot
..taxis sit there until they're ready to leave
....which is when they've got *enough*(?) passengers
Additionally,
you can hail a WestEnd taxi anywhere along the route
...even as far as the car/bus-park (depending on time of day)
driver WILL leave with a*partial* load
if he *feels* it's worth his while,
which will be when he *guesses* he can get more riders along the way
usually,
if he's got 2 or 3 riders he'll pull off
sometimes he'll go with one
.
.
[[ to be continued ]]
Before I continue,
I MUST mention
a very very very VERY IMPORTANT
'.getting the lay of the land.' recommendation:::::>>>> Find & Print-Out that outstanding & fabulous Negril Map that some boardies created
some somebody will post the link [[[ hint hint ]]]
I & others always carry
a 11x14 print-out of that map
[[[ I have mine laminated ]]]
it's a Godsend...!!...
that map
will show you how close things/places are
and how small Negril is
[[ to be continued ]]
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
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The Beach Road Route .... Some *Details*
.
.
Going in direction from Rui-to-Downtown-to-bus/car-park
.
.
.
Traveling in this-direction is probably the sweeeeet-est taxi-ride
:-)
because:::>>> your taxi options are many/numerous
compared to other routes
.
.
Attachment 9705
.
.
1......SEVERAL taxi routes use the Beach Road
....e.g., Orange Bay; Green Island; Lucea AND the regular Beach Road route taxis
......all go to the bus/car park
2...it DOES NOT matter which one you use, if you're traveling in the direction from Rui-to-downtown-to-the bus/car-park.
...in fact, the OrangeBay, GreenIsland & Lucea route-taxis will be DELIGHTED to stop and pick-up any passenger along the beach road, because the odds are pretty-good that he has dropped-off other passengers and has empty seats ----- more-money more-money more-money.....!!!!..
3.... Suppose,
you wanted to take a BeachRoad taxi (to downtown)
and then switch-over to a WestEnd taxi
NOT a problem,
because if you ask,
the route taxi driver will gladly
drive around the '.Round-About.'
and take you to the WestEnd pick-up point,
and then
he'll drive around the round-about,
and continue on his regular route
to the bus/car-park
there is NO extra-cost for this diversion from the *regular* route
it's all part of the BeachRoad service
just ask.
[[ to be continued ]]
Getting Around Negril 101 [[ continued ]]
.
.
.
The Beach Road Route .... Some-more *Details*
.
.
Going in direction from Downtown-to-Rui
this is where it can get a little *tricky*
but no biggie
.
..
Attachment 9706
.
.
1.... For traveling in this-direction,
you'll need to know the *special* hand signal (above)
....it's not a MUST, but it's helpful.
,,,,,, because there're three (3) other routes that use the beach road
2.... use-ing the *regular* hand/finger pointed DOWN signal
means you're NOT leaving Negril, but want a taxi for the BeachRoad
3.... a raised finger/arm/hand indicates to the on-coming route-taxis that you're going OUT of Negril
...to OrangeBay, or GreenIsland or Lucea (and points inbetween)
4... If/when a taxi stops,
i always double-check
by asking:::>> "..Beach..???.."
and leave it up to the driver if he wants to take me to my BeachRoad destination or not
depending on time of day, number of passengers, etc etc
he might decline, and drive-off, for you to catch another taxi
no biggie
there're PLENTY of taxis
[[[ The End ]]]
any questions...???...
Suggestions
If you've never been to Negril before
and not familiar with the route-taxi system
it could/would/will be big-fun,
and worth the time
to hop-in a BeachRoad and/or WestEnd taxi and ride it from one end to the other.
'twill be a well-spent round-trip Ja$400 per person excursion ----- trust me..!!..
a real eye-opener
enjoy your route-taxi rides
:-)
get the '..lay-of-the-land..'