This is what I have found like Gerry says if your travelling solo route taxi is easy, I just got back and first time I ever have been and not used a route taxi. There was two of us and found most taxi rides were $5 unless it was farther than it was $10, and at night the rate seemed to be $10, not even worth the trouble of a route taxi.
Trip #59 most of February
Also, if you have to worry about being assaulted or robbed in a route taxi, I think that says more about the locals than the tourists.
Rob, I have a question. Is there times when travel is more bothersome for the Jamaican workers, children leaving school. You know like rush hour in the states when tourist should avoid use of the taxis to keep from causing problems. Could this be another option. Like most of the workers might get off at approximately 4PM. And the children get out of school at like 3PM. Just a thought.
I tend to charter a route taxi, and pay a few dollars more. About three-five dollars more.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
You can tell just by driving by. I always tell the driver to make it a charter, however please pick up the ladies who are working real jobs along the way. No dudes as it keeps the worry down. I have met all sorts of wonderful hardworking ladies along the way. Mostly hotel workers and my all time favorite a country girl selling some fruit.
My last reach there was another lady in our car,when we got to CoCo I gave the driver money for her fare.Originally Posted by booger
For me, it's not a matter of price that determines if I use a route taxi. It's simply a matter of convenience. Use caution with any taxi. Either one could be a stolen vehicle with a driver with bad intentions. ALWAYS trust your gut.
Rob you hit the nail, in the US public trans is large-capacity buses trains etc. traveling specific routes with specific stops, on a timed schedule; not a comparable to the JA route taxi system at all, even tho both are called 'Public Transportation'.
Considering past "Disscusions" of this very subject, has anyone here considered that this very thread "I love route taxis" may have been placed here to instigate people into more "Disscusions" and create more controversy?
Smith744, I think we need more popcorn.
Lighten up people...
One Love
Instead of the back and forth bickering, wouldn't energy be better served compiling a list of taxis who offer charter services in town. The transportation section has a lot of drivers, however a lot of them are tour/airport transfer drivers. Maybe a daytime list and an evening list.
Sorry, but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, I frankly can't see how you feel route taxi's aren't safe without empirical evidence to back it up.
"That" Taxi could have been a stolen negril taxi, the outcome would have been the same and no amount of experience would change that.
I would have no problem using charter taxis/regular taxi's IF the prices were clearly stated BEFORE getting in the car like it is in the US, the bait and switch taxi cab drivers perform along with the haggling can be downright uncomfortable, especially at night when you just want to get back to your hotel safely.
Are you opposed to a bus system for Negril for travelers? If one theft occurs will you no longer promote the hypothetical bus service? What about if a driver on your list decided to rob a passenger? Would you stop promoting your list based on ONE incident?
Extrapolating incidents to make them appear like it's unsafe to take route taxis would be like saying the US isn't a safe place to live based on the gun usage, it's making the situation appear worse than it really is.
Heck, I could see a commuter shuttle/bus system that goes back and forth between the cliffs and beaches being a possible solution to the current system which uses individual cars, but that would put a lot of red plate drivers out of business in an effort to provide a "safe" solution to visitors/local transportation.
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