I love route taxis

[Kiknback]

We have been approx 12 trips to Negril since 1993 and I am just learning in the last 2 yrs from this sight to take red plated taxi only and how the taxi system works. We have always offered about 7 dollars to take us(2adults and child) from White Sands to Xtabi, have never had anyone say no and have always hoped it was enough. I may have taken a charter and not known because last year was the only time I really paid attention and made sure it was a route and red plated taxi. Now after reading this year about the crime involving route taxi and how I should really be using charter I would like to know more about how to spot a charter. I am assuming if it is red plated and doesn't say route taxi that it is a charter? It would be helpful if a charter taxi would come and post here stating what his fare is from point A to point B. I know how this can be difficult as many locations to pick up and drop off but really would help those of us that want to ride safe and be paying a fair price. We never have phone to call so just start walking and wait for red plate to stop. Do charters just cruise around like the routes looking for someone to pick up? Many cars stopping and honking to see if you need ride so I first look to see if it has red plate so now must I make sure it doesn't say route? Ohh just when I think I have it down 

That is where a lot of the debate comes from. If I understand Rob's view correctly, every taxi you have ever taken in Negril has been unsafe, and the only safe way to get around is to use a known, trusted driver. You cannot simply get a random red plate.

[Oncedeported]

Charters are great and I realize flagging down a route is not as safe, but it is the convenience. I felt bad about calling a driver to drive from café goa to firefly or other short jumps. Found the route taxis ( just flagging down and jumping in as route if passengers in it, or chartering if empty) a lot more convenient. Also I like moving around a lot. Not one to stay in the same place long. I know some say its not much more $ but if you take several rides per day as we did it adds up. I easily spent 250$ on taxis running around town and that was never paying more than 800j from firefly to west end, or 400j down the beach road for the family. Also must add that everyone was happy with that.

[Alisa]

Thanks Accompong. I guess I will see who our hotel uses and will probably end up paying more this trip but that's still ok with me because I think we have been paying to little anyway. I of course like paying little as possible but also want to make sure rate is fair for the driver and I am not paying waaaay to much. We usually only take a trip to grocery at roundabout and a few trips to snorkel and breakfast at Xtabi. Just want to use correct system and get reasonable price and safe trip. 29 more days woot woot! At this point any price sounds good just get me out of this cold!

[smith744]

................. It would be helpful if a charter taxi would come and post here stating what his fare is from point A to point B. ..................

lol
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my-friend & fellow-boardie,
that is sooooooooooooooo true-true:::: it would be VERY *helpful*, indeed.

but THAT will NEVER happen..!!!!..

lol
lol
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lol

self-SAY:::>>> "...ain't this a *funny* thread...??..."
mi-SAY:::>>>> "...yep yep .... 'tis hilarious.."

[Olivia]

So CaptainD, are you saying that route taxi drivers in general scorn tourists who are used to moving in route taxis, know the price, know how to flag them down on the side of the road - yet the driver will pull over and pick them up anyway? Or are there drivers who not only scorn the "Cheap Charlie" tourist but also follow up on their principles by not stopping for said tourist?

[Craig123]

Yaaaaaaawn.....

[Steve Positive Tours]

Alisa and Smith

We at Steve Positive Tours are more than happy to inform you of our prices from point A to point B and we are sure that they're other drivers that would be happy to share their prices as well.

Say for eg. you want to leave Coco la palm to Ricks Cafe for 2 persons round trip that would be approximately $20us.

Another eg. if you were to leave Rockhouse to Cocolapalm for dinner 2 persons round trip that also would be approximately $20us. To take you round trip from off the cliff to go shopping at Time Square that too would be $20us round trip.

You can always pay as you go, you can pay for one way or at the end of the trip, we know the way things are so we are trying to help our clients vacation to be memorable. Our prices remain in full effect until further notice, please feel free to call us for more info on pricing call us at 1-876-372-8354 or email stevepositiveja@gmail.com

[Hussyband]

I swear, people will argue that water is wet.

Honestly, and this is meant with no offense to Rob... Take the route taxi if you want. Rob has a great site here, it's informative, and often quite a lot of fun. That said, this is not "rulesofnegril.com"; it's a for profit website that has been around for a long time, run by someone who lives where he makes his money, and filled with people who despite what anyone may think... Might just have a better grasp of the situation than most of us do.

Folks get their panties in such a bunch over the most ridiculous crap. If whoever started this thread wants to take a taxi, by all means do so. If someone else wants to pick up hookers and ride about town on a scooter while smoking a giant spliff, do so. Just remember someone... Sometime... Said it may not have been the best idea.

What I don't get is the continual arguing and sniping about it. It's interesting how every message board I have seen has a few people who think because they have a little bit of knowledge... know it all, no matter what anyone says.

Whoever started this thread did it with the sole purpose of trolling. It's patently obvious, as there has been no follow up (unless I missed it) from that front. Why there needs to be so many insults back and forth about ones preference to use or not use the damn things is beyond me.

The one thing my wife and I equate this to, using our back home senses... Is I would NEVER get in a car with some random guy driving down the street. Why I thought it would be a good idea in Jamaica is a question i ask myself every time my wife now leaves the house without her wedding rings, or any of the jewelry I have purchased for her over the years, all as a direct result of one stupid incident ... From a route taxi. Or, why she cried when I bought her a copy of this stupid little clutch she thought was gone for good... After a route taxi ride. Or, why I wake up in the middle of the night, in an absolute rage... Dreaming about a route taxi ride. How about that great feeling I get when people refer to something as "one minor incident" which will probably live with me forever, and has seriously discolored my feel for the island itself. All thanks to a route taxi. 15 years of vacations to Jamaica, many, many, many fond memories, ruined... Because I wanted to save a few minutes and grab a car driving by.

So, go ahead... Take your route taxi, continue to refer to it as one incident... It's an incident for two people that reaches well beyond the 20 minutes it lasted.

[Kiknback]

The one thing my wife and I equate this to, using our back home senses... Is I would NEVER get in a car with some random guy driving down the street.

I always get in a random taxi at home. When I return to DC, I simply take the first taxi that I see. I don't know my driver personally here. Or anyplace in the world I have ever taken a taxi in my life. Is it always safe? No. Returning home a few trips ago, as we were pulling away from the airport my wife realized that our driver was a fairly unstable patient at the mental hospital she works out. So no, taking a taxi is not always safe. But I just do not see how Jamaica is different from home or anywhere else as far as public transportation.

You were not robbed by a route taxi.

You were robbed by a stolen taxi.

There is a difference.

[booger]

Alisa and Smith

We at Steve Positive Tours are more than happy to inform you of our prices from point A to point B and we are sure that they're other drivers that would be happy to share their prices as well.

Say for eg. you want to leave Coco la palm to Ricks Cafe for 2 persons round trip that would be approximately $20us.

Another eg. if you were to leave Rockhouse to Cocolapalm for dinner 2 persons round trip that also would be approximately $20us. To take you round trip from off the cliff to go shopping at Time Square that too would be $20us round trip.

You can always pay as you go, you can pay for one way or at the end of the trip, we know the way things are so we are trying to help our clients vacation to be memorable. Our prices remain in full effect until further notice, please feel free to call us for more info on pricing call us at 1-876-372-8354 or email stevepositiveja@gmail.com

Nice! I have just added Steve Positive Tours to my very short list.

hussyband,
what if I throw a hooker on my back and walk half way, do I get a discount????