*I* like to do my research before making any purchases of goods or services, just like I do in the states. A fair price is a fair price, obvious price-gouging because of the perception of wealth does not fly with me....
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*I* like to do my research before making any purchases of goods or services, just like I do in the states. A fair price is a fair price, obvious price-gouging because of the perception of wealth does not fly with me....
This comes down to knowing the route taxi system. Since it was designed as an inexpensive way for the population to move about, it can be confusing to visitors who are unfamiliar with the system. That is why JUTA was created over 40 years ago when the Jamaican government realized the potential of the tourism industry in the country and decided to reorganize the ground transportation services. This was the first transport system designed with the visitors in mind. JCal and Maxi Tours have been added to the tourism transport sector.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanP
Being born in Jamaica, you learn the route taxi system before you attend school. As a visitor to the island, you do not have that luxury of experience. Even frequent visitors to the island can get into serious trouble by not truly knowing the route taxi system.
How much is your safety worth to you? Only you can make that decision. All the drivers in our Transport section are experienced in handling all of our visitors' needs. You will pay more than a route taxi, but "paying a little extra for a route taxi", you are already paying more than a route taxi.... and that makes that "route taxi" become a "Charter Taxi" instantly.
Here now. What is fair from Point Village to Xtabi because we still have not figured this out, thanks! Loving it!
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-men....!!!!
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and THAT is the problem... in a nutshell
folks come down here
with the from-foreign mindset
and
for some reason
wanna ''pay more''
for the route taxi ride :::::: and more times then not, problems happen.
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Quigley,
A fair fare for a couple from the main road walking from the Point would around US$10. That would be 5 bucks a head one way.
For a route taxi, you would have to wait until a non-full taxi which are few and far between depending on the time of day since they are coming with passengers from as far as Lucea to get to their jobs in Negril on time. You would then simply flag it down. The taxi would have an RED PLATE, checkered striping and a yellow Taxi light on the vehicle. Very important is to READ THE ROUTE info on the side of the car BEFORE entering. It should have a Route showing some location north of Negril (Lucea, Green island, etc) to Negril on the side.
Example of writing on taxi:
Route Taxi
Green Island/Negril
Do NOT get in any "route taxi" that does not have a northern city to Negril painted on the side. This is critical.
Once you flag it down, you simply get in. You dont say anything like "how much to Xtabi?" because you have now began a negotiation that turns that route taxi into a charter taxi. The route driver assumes everyone in their taxi knows the system. Which they do....
The cost from the Point to the Bus Park which is past the Police Station is JA$130 per person. Try to have smaller bills as change is often an issue. At that point you would ask any of the drivers in the Bus Park "West End?" and someone will take you to the next available taxi. Once again, make sure the writing on the side of the vehicle says "West End". You will then wait until the driver gets enough passengers to fill the vehicle. The cost to Xtabi would be another JA$130 per person. When you near Xtabi, just let let driver know you want to stop at Xtabi.
So the cost for taking the route taxi system as designed would be Ja$520 (260x2). You dont tip a route taxi driver anymore than you would tip a bus driver in your town. You can say "keep the change and give a child a free ride" as has been suggested, but tipping is not expected.
If this seems like a bit of work to get to Xtabi, then just ask any Juta/JCal/Maxi taxi to take you to Xtabi for us$10. it is hassle free and door to door service. Linston, Michael's On Time and Steve Positive as well as others in our Transport section would be more than willing to help you out or secure a ride for you.
There will be some people who will suggest that you ask the route taxi driver to take you straight to Xtabi, but at that point you will need to pay more and negotiate while on the road, and possibly change the plans of the other passengers in the taxi expecting to go to the bus park.
As a visitor, the driver will probably take your offer and dump the other passengers off at another location, but you have now turned the route driver into a charter driver at the expense of the other passengers.
Do what you think is right. But please consider how much you paid to get to the airport, how much it costs to park your car at the airport, the cost of the airfare, the drinks on the plane or food at the airport as well as all the additional expenses such as taxes, fees, charges, etc that have been added to the airfare.
Yes, you can save about us$5 by taking a route taxi from the Point to Xtabi, but be considerate about the locals who depend on the route taxis to get to work or buy food for their families. The current minimum wage in Jamaica is JA$140 an hour. At the current exchange rate that is us$1.16 per hour. When was the last time you earned us$1.16 an hour?
Food for thought....
I'm here now. Have been using red plate regularly. 1000j for 2 ppl to catcha falling star from times square
Wrong. I am very familiar with the system. The problem is that you get different answers about what the true route fare is, depending on who you talk to in Negril. I usually just give the guy enough to cover the fare, upon entering (I'm talking about $20-30JA more than the understood fare). There is no confusion about what is going on. Some guys just don't like a white tourist paying the same fare as a Jamaican. That is the bottom line.Quote:
Originally Posted by smith744
.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanP
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ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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self-SAY:::>>> ''..DON'T you DARE respond to that...!!!...'''
me-SAY:::>>> ''..but but but, ____ _____ ____ ____..'''
self-SAY::>>> ''...Fool,,, DON'T *touch* it ... left it alone..!!!.''
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* sigh *
nevermind
Luckily there are many options for getting around in Negril and surrounding areas. For the experienced traveller, the long term vacationers and new first time tourists. We all have our favourite ways as well as drivers and some pay different rates. I have used route taxis, charter taxis, buses and boats and I guess the transportation industry for tourists and residents comes with lots of opinions or politics. Bottom line is we will always have a choice on how to get from point a to point b so make use of it, enjoy it and most importantly make sure you feel safe doing it.
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Originally Posted by RyanP
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the route taxi 'what is the fare' post puzzle me
i don't get it
...'cause i have NO problem finding out the fares ---- never get multiple price-es/ing
i don't get it
back-in-the-day,
when i first starting use-ing route taxis, i asked my housekeeper at the time-share thing-y
...she told me ... i paid what she told me ... end of story
been riding ever since
EVERY trip,
i call & ask my landlord
who lives in Lucea
and SELDOM
comes over to Negril:::>> ''..What's the price on the beach road..??..''
so, i can get my mind & brain 'ready'
he tells me --- i pay ..period .. no problems
and
and
AnD:::>> I NEVER pay more than the established, set, official rate ... NEVER EVER
...just like in WashingtonDC, i don't try to pump/push more money into the public subway pay-machine, or pubic bus pay-box ... NO MORE than whatever the fare IS...!!..
i don't tip the WashDC bus driver
i don't tip the WashDC subway driver
and don't tip in Jamaican PUBLIC transportation system ---- aka ''..route taxi..''
never ever.
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all that said,
it seems to me that the *confusion* comes-from
the mind-set of the tourist/foreigners.
we/they/them *hear* the word '.taxi.' and think taxi-like-foriegn taxi/system
no no noooooooooooooooooooo
in Jamaica,
the route taxi is more like a public bus/subway :::: you SHARE the transport,,, with other passengers....just like on a foreign bus or subway
if you want/need a 'limo' type taxi/transportation,
then
you open a DIFFERENT can of worm$.
....worm$ that require
$ignificant negotiation $kill$ :::::: aka ''the CHARTER'' taxi service.
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