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HI
Could anyone tell me what a fair price would be for a taxi for 2 from Point Village to the Catholic Church?
There are many mentions of negotiating before you go anywhere but not really sure how much to pay.
Is there a certain percentage you should knock off?
Also, taxi to the hummingbird garden. Thanks for any advice. First-timers!
(We have some excursions planned too)
If they pick you up at Pt. Village and drop you off at the church, they'll ask for $10. and be happy to pick you up after church for the return trip at that same amount. If you make your way out to the road and use a route cab, $5. each way for the two of you (including generous tip, but hey, you're going to church). Personally, we dress a little better for church and I'd take the first (charter cab) option.
For the hummingbird garden, you'll probably want someone for round-trip, meaning you can call them when you're done, you can schedule a time for them to come back, or they can wait for you. Not more than $40. total if they wait for you. At those prices, they won't demand a tip, but will be happy with a couple of extra dollars.
See http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-Red-tag-rates
* sigh *
i don't have much time
to chat 'bout
taxi ~~ me personally use *route-taxi* EXCLUSIVE-ly, or walk-the-walk
[[[ the ones with the red license plates and *proper* signage ]]]
i don't do *charter taxi* ::: too too *rich* for my blood
:-(
neverthless,
'twas YESTERDAY Sunday
i took a taxi from that Catholic church to the round-about
when i got out of taxi,
told driver:::>>> ''...Driver,,, TAKE this..!!..''.."
and
handed him the money ::::: Ja $100 [[[ periiod .... NO argument ]]]
got out
and continue on my journey to Canoe [ a short-shot walk ]
to link-up with somebody
oh
oh
ooooooooooh:::>>> Ja $100 = US 79-cents
Smith, isn't the official fare JMD 130.? So you got a bargain, but I wouldn't advocate that. Just a different perspective.
I should have mentioned, and am glad you did: ALWAYS use the red license plate cabs, not the private cars that have white license plates.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
.
agan::>> me don't have time to argue 'bout route taxi prices
HOWEVER,
''..YES...'' ... always red plactes
AND ''.. with proper sign-age on the sides..''
i mention the signage, cause until you're *experienced* and know 'what' to 'look-for' it's a good idea to look for those TWO things on the taxi/car
oh
oh
oooooh:::>>> for the past few years
they've be serioiusly upgrade-ing the taxis
....dem got some sweet route-vans too, that run up & down the roads.
'twas just last night
i rode a nICE route-van back to Lucea
a small *clarification*..::>>> i *think* you're correact... the 'official' fare is 'bout $120 or something something... but i was doing likkle personal 'experiment' to '''test-the-system'', when i gave driver the $100 [[[ grin ]]]
.
and 'bout the ''tip'' thing:::>>> WHEN-next you're in a route taxi :::: check & see & observe how many Jamaican route taxi riders give a tip
AGAIN:::>>> me-SAY:::>>> '''...WHEN in Jamaica ... DO as the Jamaicas do...''' [[[ period ]]
DASH-away those from-foriegn tendencies and pro-cliv-it-tees (sp?)
...dem no work in Jamaica
you NOT in Kansas, Dorothy
From a Point Village resident; Penzie is a driver that hangs out at the Point Village. He is a fully licensed with JUTA and has a red plate. Very nice religious man and will not ask too much. His number is 854-0618
Yeah, but my rule is "When you're a fat white American tourist in Jamaica, expect to pay tourist rates, just don't be TOO stupid." :) I figure that a little extra reward to somebody who's working for a living is never going to do any harm.
Apologies to Quigley for getting 'way off the topic!
[QUOTE=wrtiii;175329]Yeah, but my rule is "When you're a fat white American tourist in Jamaica,
expect to pay tourist rates,
just don't be TOO stupid./QUOTE].
.
.
''expect.'' ...????
ummmmmmmmmmmm
so,
if me go into the supermarket
and 'cause me a white, black, green, whatever-touist, me 'spose to EXPECT to pay more eh
to me,
PURE-foolishness that..!!!
price set..!! ... me pay the SET-price, like everybody else .... nothing less... nothing more [[ end of story ]]
.
.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
.
.
'''too'' stupid...????
me-SAY:::>>''..don't be stupid at-tall .... nope NOT at all..''
me NEVER want it put
into my Ja-dossier (sp?) and/or file
that I'm:::>>> '''not too stupid....just a likkle stupid .... sometimes stupid...''
.
.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
.
.ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
no harm, eh...
ummmmmmmmmmmmm
.
.
got lots to say 'bout this,
but i'm on vacation
....gotta run
likkle more
Smith I'll hold my tongue but you're dead wrong!Quote:
Originally Posted by smith744
Cap
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by captaind & Linston
i over-stand your point of view & perspective
...tru tru,,,there're grey-areas [[among a few other things]]
but in *general* i stand-by my *position*
hopefully
you and I & I will meet
and chat
could/should be *fun* [[ grin ]]
it'll be a ''back of the house'' chat
I don't do '''protect the tourist industry''' chat-thing-y
...me too-old for that ... don't have time to waste
I have come across prices for locals and more for tourists often for hotels, sightseeing etc.. Do not know how it is legal.
olQuote:
Originally Posted by shelley
lol
of COuRSE, it's ''..legal..''
lol
lol
lol
now,
IF the buy-er pays the sell-ers price,,, THAT's another story ..... but it's STILL legal
Why do you find this strange?Quote:
Originally Posted by shelley
I buy my gas here in St. Augustine for 1.99 now.
If I go out to the I-95 interchange it's 2.14.
Different prices for the locals and the tourists on I-95.
Cap
It's a free market, the only set rates are for route taxi's. Nothing wrong with that, just negotiate to what you're comfortable paying. On charter taxis, I think both parties should feel like they're getting the short end just a bit. That's a sign of a good deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by shelley
Travel much? This happens all over the world.Quote:
Originally Posted by shelley
.Quote:
Originally Posted by shelley
.
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
upon reflection,
i **THINK**
i see where you're coming from
correct me if i'm wrong::::
me-personally have a *problem* with two sets of prices for locals and tourists for services, when said-services are being provided at the SAME-place.
for example,
i walk up to a jelly coconut man
and he tells ME--the-tourist:::>> $500 Ja
and
then for every local/resident he charges $100
to me ThAT's not right ..... maybe not illegal,,but not right
OR
when a route taxi man
charges a tourist double what the rate IS.
Smith, I like your style.Quote:
Originally Posted by smith744
Quote:
Originally Posted by hille141
Would you be willing to live on the average Jamaican income?
Cap
I'm not willing to live on the average American income.Quote:
Originally Posted by captaind & Linston
Maybe a tourist can't afford the jacked up prices. Would you prefer they stay at home instead? I understand paying a little extra for a route fare, but I, for instance, will not pay a route driver charter prices. Some of them get pissed. If that's the case, they can have $0, and I'll get another ride.
*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
.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-men....!!!!
.
.
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.
.
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
.
.
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
.
.
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.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanP
.
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.
.
.
.
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.
.
.
what options are available to go from GP to Negril & how much ?
.Quote:
Originally Posted by jomack
.
these abbreviations confuse me
:-(
iF you talking'bout the Grand Paladium
just outside Lucea @ a place called ''..Point..'':::::::::::::::
1...i'm SURE there's transport service(s) provided by the resort. ... check at the front-desk
2...not sure, but probably ... usually ... drivers for hire, camp-out in front of resorts to service guest(s)
[[[ note::: i have NO clue as to price... me-personally, shudder to consider the cost ---- pure-dread ]]]
3...now, IF it were ME :::::::::: and a kinda-sorta newbie
......go to the front gate
......ask/tell the security-guard to flag-down a route-taxi OR big-van --- there're PLENTY of 'em passing by
.......cost..?? --- 'bout Ja $100 ..... to go to Lucea car/bus-park
,,,,,,,,,,,,,travel time.... 'bout 5-minutes,,, depending on time of day, and if Lucea rush-hour
THEN,
transfer/Switch:::>> to a taxi going to Negril
.....cost..??..... Ja $250
.............travel-time..??..... all-ways,,, 30-minutes max [ to down-town round-about ]
NOTE ::::: with option #3 you WILL BE sharing the taxi/van with fellow-passengers ... i.e., island-residents
.
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happy trails, to ya
Smith, I totally enjoy reading about your experiences in Jamaica, and find them both entertaining and educational. So I'm not just trying to be argumentative, but find this an interesting discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by smith744
I do take route taxis when I'm alone, but usually do a charter if my wife is with me. Just a difference in comfort level. This is a habit that I probably developed because when we started going to Negril, the route taxis were often pretty beat up. You have pointed out that now they usually are in good condition.
I would say that half the time when I use a route cab, the driver asks me for something extra. This is usually money, but in one case the driver admired my sneakers and asked me if I would leave them with him when I went back to the states! They are polite, and it's a request not a demand, but they do ask.
Is it the difference between my appearance and yours that determines this? Or just a difference in demeanor where you look like you know the runnings and I seem a little uncertain and they think (or hope) that I do not? I am curious about it, but have no way of telling (and it's not a big deal either way).
But giving the driver an extra couple of dollars and telling him to give someone who needs it a ride feels right to me, so I do it.
It is your money, so do as you wish.Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
I tip my driver thousands of US $.
OH WAIT... he's my son!
Cap
.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
.
.
THAT IS so-TRUE...!!!
BUT _______________ ____________________ _____________
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boardie-wrtiii ~~ gimme a few hours, and i'll give you MY input on this matter ..... hopefully, this thread doesn't get shut-down, before i get back witcha [[[ or afterwards ..... lol lol lol ]]]
am a likkle busy right now
all route taxis are now required to have the lighted up yellow "taxi" thingy on da roof.......
now it's easy to spot the route taxis when you trying to hail one......amen
Cool Runnings, Marko