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We were in Negril for our first visit in April. We used the route taxis to go from the beach to the cliffs, and the other way around. Everytime, I negotiated for the driver to to take us on up the cliffs, or on down the beach, so I never had to transfer. If I did have to transfer, where would I go? Do I need to go to the taxi park? I saw some taxis sitting in front of ValuMaster. Were those West End cabs? Just want to know how to do it for our next visit.
That would be the place...
I catch them anywhere close to the roundabout - on the bridge, in front of the bank ... pretty much anyplace on the road or in the taxi park or anyplace you see cabs clustered.
We came out of HiLo and a route cab wouldn't take less than 400 for 2. We should've walked but I was carrying a bunch of beer.
Just to clarify, when you negotiated with the route taxi it ceased being a route taxi and then became a charter.
You can negotite 1 fare to town from west end
and 1 fare up the beach --2 fares in total which Ryan did. If your hopping into a route taxi and ur paying route taxi prices then its not a charter. Charters are a likkle more
Bjritz...if you were going to the beach from Hilo...400j is actually the route cab price for two people.Quote:
Originally Posted by bjritz
That's completely correct...Kevin!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin, PA
yes boogzy, but the minute you start negotiating on the price, it ceases to be a 'route' taxi -- route taxis are fixed price; no higgling on the fare. that's the whole point of them.
Ryan...technically you change at the bus park if you're using a route cab & switching routes....
I was going back to Xtabi from HiLo. So, are there only certain spots to get a "route taxi" or all spots up for negotiation. This seemed a bit odd to me, so I need the dope on this for the next reach.
"at" the HiLo is not (technically) the spot to pick up a route taxi. If you want to go the one route from town to cliffs, you would walk out to the road, or to the bus park/taxi stand and pick up the taxi there.
but if you're 'at' the HiLo, you're inbetween routes - (granted it's a very short piece and some drivers will ignore that.... but some will go by the strict definitions of the routes) - going up to the cliffs, is an additional route.
From Hi-Lo to Xtabi is on the regular cliff route/road, so no need to negotiate. These days I think it's 100J per person, but you need to know what the charge is before you get in. When you want a route ride, you don't ask questions, just hand the driver 200J and get out. One thing I've noticed over the years is that, when you start talking (negotiating, etc.) drivers often feel free to charge you differently than they would someone who lives local. I've had drivers charge me more, and when I refuse to pay, they say they assumed I wasn't taking them as a route but as a charter simply because I'm a tourist.
If I'm taking a regular route, such at that from Hi-Lo to Xtabi, I just put my finger up, get in, and tell them when to stop. No negotiation necessary. If I want to ask for something extra, like that they not pick up anyone else or that they take me from cliffs to beach without stopping in the middle, then I establish the fare before they take off. Remember also that having them turn off the main cliff road means you are no longer on the route and will probably be charged extra unless you make other arrangements beforehand. So even the short ride from the main road to SeaStar, for example, costs extra for the taxi to go up the lane.
Wow, I had no idea! I never pay more than the price for one route to go from Hi-Lo to Catcha. I've never been asked to pay more, but good to know! I thought the cliff route began well before Hi-Lo. I guess you learn something every day!Quote:
Originally Posted by MissBlue
I guess I should ask, what exactly are the "routes" in Negril? In all the years I've gone, I've considered the beach road down to the bridge to be the beach route, and everything to the right of the roundabout (and to the left down to the taxi park) to be the cliff route. That's how I've been charged for route taxis. Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?
my understanding is anything 'downtown' (technically speaking although not always enforced) goes from the taxi stand, whether going to beach or to cliffs - i was told 'at' the HiLo is off the route, even though it's only a very short piece 'off' - kinda like the pieca road from the west end road up the lane to Seastar. i may be misunderstanding that, 'if' the HiLo is considered to be "on" the cliffs route - but that's what i was told years ago, and i've always gone by it. And it does seem to be that way any time one tries to get in the taxi right 'at' the HiLo, so i've always thought it was right ..... but if i have that wrong i'm sure someone will come in and correct me - :)
MissBlue, that sounds right, I told the driver it's 100J each and he said, no, no, it's 200J. But, hey, its alla time learnin'. So, if I'd just walked out to the Cliff road and caught a taxi on the side of the road, I'd be on route and okay?
Thanks for the help on this. Do you then further tip the driver?
Yeah if you had been on the road, route rates apply.. in the parking lot is a charter.. tipping is appreciated but not expectedQuote:
Originally Posted by bjritz
- yepper. but heck, imho it's worth the extra route fare for the convenience of not having to walk a block or two with heavy stuff.Quote:
if I'd just walked out to the Cliff road and caught a taxi on the side of the road, I'd be on route and okay?
i don't tip like i would for a private ride, but i usually just hand over the bills and not wait for change. this was much easier when the route fare was 70 or 80 $J, lol... now i would probably just hand over 150 $J -- which is of course still extremely reasonable....
Hail a Cab!!
Just to avoid potential conflict, when I enter a route taxi, I say something like: "Ya mon, you're a route taxi, $100j right?" I always tip at least another 100j but often ask, if I'm the only passenger, if he would be so kind as to turn on Seastar Lane to drop me off ....
Me too, and I let the driver know to pick up whomever along the way..Quote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123
p.s. Lynntt, i'm gonna guess this is cause pretty ladies are more likely to get relaxed rules from drivers. hehe. :p ;)Quote:
I never pay more than the price for one route to go from Hi-Lo to Catcha. I've never been asked to pay more, but good to know!
Oh, ok, that's what I meant, on the road. Sorry, I guess I was confused. I didn't realize you meant in the Hi-Lo parking lot. Yes, I've always been told you have to be on the main road (beach or cliffs) for the route pricing to apply. Thanks for clearing it up!Quote:
Originally Posted by jasperpso
oh. Well dang Lynntt, i like my idea better. lol.
LOL at MissBlue! Some of the rules I learned on my first trip are still what I plan by, starting with only hailing route taxi's, checking the plate, knowing the fare, and having correct change. There have been many instances in my many trips that I've challenged drivers, but once they realize I know the "rules" I'm usually OK. I've chartered taxi's and had them stop to pick up friends, sometimes off the main read, and then paid them the route fare since they picked someone up. They always act surprised, but I've never had one argue once I explain that they turned it into a route situation not me. It's one thing if I'm asked if they can pick up someone, but charter means I'm paying for me and only me. My feeling is and always has been that business is business, and if a driver wants to change the rules they need to ask beforehand or I will challenge them. With a smile, of course :D
This discussion has been very helpful. I think I'm now prepared for the "Route Taxi" section of the "Negril 101 Quiz". See if you pass:
1) If you are standing at the traffic circle in Negril which way do route taxis go?
a) Around and around
b) To the beach
c) To the cliffs
d) To a bar
2) If you are standing on the beach road looking back and forth, how much does a taxi cost?
a) 100J
b) $5.00
c) 500J
d) All of the above depending on number of passengers, red or white plate and how far you are going
e) None of the above you are just looking around
3) If you are standing across the road from Sunset After Dark Bar & Grill facing toward the long beach and a route taxi stops asking for a fare you should:
a) Pay 100J for a ride to Nirvana on the Beach
b) Pay 200J to get him to go away and walk across the street to the bar
c) Check the plate get in and tell him where you want to go and pay when you get there
d) This all depends on which way the Taxi is pointing....toward or away from the town center
e) Acknowledge this is a cliff route taxi and you'll be taken anywhere on cliff road or to the traffic circle for 100J each.
4) You've just emerged from Scotia Bank ATM with a bulge in your pocket; you are immeadiately approached by a guy offering you a ride, do you:
a) Follow him to any car and get in.
b) Politely say, "No, mon, all good.".
c) Ask him what is the best Jerk place in town.
d) Lift your cellie to your face and call your pre-arranged driver to pick you up in front of the bank.
e) Ask him to show you his car, if red plate and he's not parked in a parking lot but on the street, take him to be a cliff route driver and go back to your cliff resort.
5) Which venue is the best for finding out about route taxi customs in Negril?
a) Your driver who brings you to Negril from the airport.
b) Fodor's Travel Guide
c) The "Welcome To Negril" guide book in your hotel room
d) Negril.com/forum
e) Any boardie belly flopper
I hope you passed the test, not sure how this will be determined, but somehow I think this will be taken care of in due time.
that was pretty good bjritz..........
stand on the side of the road in the direction you want to go and wait for a red plate taxi to stop for you.......
if you are going from say Xtabi down to say HiLo......you say to the driver $100J's to HiLo right?
and him will say yah mon.......then you sit in the back seat......
just remember to say onestop when you approach your stop......
that is the way mi been doing it since the 80's.......always worked for this guy
Cool Runnings, Marko
Thanks, Marko, good tip. Now, I have to get busy and book a trip to try it out!
So, the only real transfer point is the taxi park? If I catch a cab in town (eg. ValuMaster parking lot), it will be a charter, even of it is tagged as a route taxi?
if you are IN the lot - yes, charter.
if you walk out to the road, then you are 'on' the route and it will not be a charter.
"I've chartered taxi's and had them stop to pick up friends, sometimes off the main read, and then paid them the route fare since they picked someone up. They always act surprised, but I've never had one argue once I explain that they turned it into a route situation not me. It's one thing if I'm asked if they can pick up someone, but charter means I'm paying for me and only me."
"Lynntt"...Lol..Right on!
they line up on that little road touching the main road beside ValueMaster parking lot......Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanP
and that is the start of the route taxi route that usually goes up da Cliffs.......
so no that is NOT a charter....
mi been grabing a red plate route taxi there even before there was a Valuemaster der......lol
only reason to go to the taxi park is to get a ride to Sav or Green Island or some other point outside of Negril
Cool Runnings, Marko
Marko, I haven't seen the term "onestop" before, that's just a reminder for the driver?
What is the best store (HiLo, Valumaster) to go to when traveling to & from the beach - regarding ease of accessing a route taxi, particularly on the return leg?
it's a phrase used in taxis and buses that alerts the driver of the vehicle that a passenger would like to disembarkQuote:
Originally Posted by Melody
ValueMaster cause it's right at the roundabout........$100J's from anywhere on da beach to da roundabout.......Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
walk from the roundabout over to ValueMaster and fill up dat shopping cart......lol
when you walk out of ValueMaster go over to the road that meets the main road.......
then ask the drivers which is the route taxi going down the beach.......then it's $100J's........
but if you can't be bothered.......there are drivers right outside the door at ValueMaster that wil drive you down the beach with your bags but they are more money cause they are offering charter services which is door to door or driveway to driveway.......
oh.......HiLo owns ValueMaster though ValueMaster is a likkle cheaper on some things but not everything......
there is the China mon store in the Burger King parking lot that has really good pricing but the selection is limited.......
Cool Runnings, Marko
Thanks Marko! So both cliff & beach route taxis park on the street in front of ValueMaster....you wrote earlier regarding going to Xtabi, so I thought maybe just cliff taxis park there. Last time (also the first time) I got to stop at Megamart on way from airport, so didn't need to go to one of the bigger stores in Negril. I'll also want to purchase a phone this time - digicel or maybe Lime...have to look into that further.
Anyway did fine with the route taxis, just bypassed the downtown area last time - as Ryan, didn't end up transfering when going to/from the cliffs.
Would a "charter" taxi from the Value Master doors to our beach hotel cost approximately $5 USD? There would be two of us with our bags.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko
Also, the China mon store in the Burger King parking lot also exchanges traveller's cheques & cash at a good rate, correct? What is the actual name of this store?
And finally, the digicel store is located in the Burger King parking lot as well, right?
Seems like if we take a route taxi to the roundabout, go to the China mon store to exchange money, then go to the digicel store, then head across the street to Value Master, it'll be a streamlined outing to "take care of business" quickly and be back at our hotel, hitting the beach in no time.
Thanks so much!
If you were heading to the beach hotels, I believe this is the correct fare...Quote:
Originally Posted by bjritz
Why not just take a charter from your hotel, the driver will wait and it should only cost $10 or so...Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
Digicel is in BK plaza.
I change my money at the Cambio across from the Burger King Strip Mall..........Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
Digicel and the China Mon shop is in the Burger King Strip Mall too.......
the name for the China Mon Shop is Kone...........see pic
http://negril.com/forum/attachment.p...6&d=1341179861
prices at Kone.......
http://negril.com/forum/attachment.p...7&d=1341180082
Q's of Booz at Kone.........
http://negril.com/forum/attachment.p...8&d=1341180085
Digicel...........
http://negril.com/forum/attachment.p...9&d=1341180098
Cool Runnings, Marko