Route Taxi Question

[jojo p]

A couple years ago after not visiting for a loooong time, I stayed at a hotel. They set me up with their "van'' for a ride. All I wanted to do was get dropped off at Ricks for awhile, then a pick up when
I was done.
They charged me 25 bucks for round trip. All I had was two twenties. I gave the driver the two twenties, and he said to me he did not have any change...... Fool me once, shame on you......
After that, I bring PLENTY of ones,and fives, and definitely take me some route taxis...
So takinitslow, my answer to your question is if you have a certain place to go, negociate whats fair for both of you, and understand you will be paying more than a local would pay........fair enough.
See ya on the beach !!!!

[Bnewb]

I know wasn't thinking when I posted this. That's why I try not to ask anymore questions on here. Just had a little memory slip there.

The answers in response to your question seemed very kind, in light of the unfortunate incidences that have happened to some people that didn't understand the route taxi system.

Not having done it...I only know that it's 110j a person from Negril to Orange Hill...it should be about the same from Orange hill to Little Bay. The other issue you may run into...there are not many route taxis that would drive that route from Negril.

Just for definition purpose...if you negotiate a price with a taxi driver you are officially chartering the ride not using the route system.

[takinitslow]

Thank you Lisa I appreciate the answer My comment ment no disrespect to anyone I was just looking for info on if it was do able. Not peoples opinions on if I should use rout taxi or not.

[Lola]

Jojo P, (especially) because it was the hotel's van driver, you should have taken back a 20 and told him you'd give him the balance when YOU had change. He would have checked back with you in a day or so. Not uncommon.

[Turtle]

What I do is figure out a price I think is fair and stand out by the road. When a red plate pulls over, which takes seconds usually, I say I'll give you xxx if you take me/us to wherever. Usually if it's from the beach to the cliffs somewhere or vice versa I'll offer $5 per person for a one way ride. If they don't like your offer, wait another 30 seconds for another red plate. Never been turned down. It's usually 2 of us so $10 plus a couple buck tip if they're cool always seems to work. Not sure if you were alone if they'd do it for $5 or not. Maybe you can get rides cheaper than that, but I'm not sure. That seems like a fair price for both parties to me. I've certainly paid more than that before adopting this method

[rosalie]

Turtle this is the same method I use and never had a problem

[Olivia]

Takinitslow, a trip to Little Bay is one where you might want to just plan and pay for a charter trip. You can catch a route taxi there (easiest and least expensive way from Negril to Mango Hall or Little London and then bike taxi it to Little Bay) - but - once in Little Bay, you're either going to do some marathon walking (without knowing what there is to see or where you're going) or you're going to wind up hanging at where you got dropped off and not doing much else. Car taxis are not plentiful in the area and arranging a driver from Negril to drop you off and then pick you up later would make no sense. Little Bay is a place where you poke a bit here, poke a bit there and take whatever comes your way without rush nor expectations. If you've never been, it's worth checking out but truly is nice to see with someone who knows the area.

[captaind]

Takinitslow, a trip to Little Bay is one where you might want to just plan and pay for a charter trip. You can catch a route taxi there (easiest and least expensive way from Negril to Mango Hall or Little London and then bike taxi it to Little Bay) - but - once in Little Bay, you're either going to do some marathon walking (without knowing what there is to see or where you're going) or you're going to wind up hanging at where you got dropped off and not doing much else. Car taxis are not plentiful in the area and arranging a driver from Negril to drop you off and then pick you up later would make no sense. Little Bay is a place where you poke a bit here, poke a bit there and take whatever comes your way without rush nor expectations. If you've never been, it's worth checking out but truly is nice to see with someone who knows the area.

Ditto what Olivia said

Cap

[MilwaukeeMike]

Last year because of my misunderstanding we had to use the route taxi system from Negril to Treasure Beach. Except for a small hiccup in Sav (we got in a coaster which must fill up instead of a taxi) it was painless. Unlike in Negril, most seasoned travelers away from tourist areas use route taxi's for all their trips from here to there and reserve charters for airport arrivals and departures. I agree that it can be mysterious for a newcomer who probably are better off with a charter until they actually take a route taxi ride (go with an expert or pay for a Jamaican local's ride like your maid or gardener and pay attention). http://ta.org.jm/content/route-taxi-fares Don't be afraid to ask your driver where you should stand for the next leg of your journey and what town or area will be painted on the side of the taxi. I don't know if others do or not but I tip but I'm careful not to let any passengers see this as they do not. If you plan on doing some sightseeing in an unfamiliar area, I agree do a charter. It's your vacation so don't save your nickels too much. Often spending a little more can be cheaper.

[Accompong]

bike taxi it to Little Bay

I believe that a "bike taxi" is illegal but just not pursued that often by the police. Check out this story. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead7.html

Also a quote from another recent article:

According to statistics from the police traffic headquarters, 25 persons died in Westmoreland last year, as a result of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Ten of those killed were bikers.

And since the start the year, motorcyclists accounted for four of the five persons killed in vehicular accidents on the Westmoreland roads.

Head of the Police Traffic Department in Westmoreland Inspector Amos Thompson earlier this week issued a strong warning to persons operating motorcycles as taxis in the parish, urging them to desist the unlawful practice.

He also urged pillion riders to "avoid the bikes."

" A word of warning to members of the public that in the event of an accident you might be killed, seriously injured, and the worse part is that you will not be covered by insurance. These motorcycles are not even bearing registration plates so you know that they are not licensed, insured or passed by a certified officer and the pillion passengers who are also not wearing protective helmets will be prosecuted for these offences and taken before the court," Thompson warned.

He noted that a number of these motorcycles were recently purchased and the owners were not even in possession of a provisional driver's license.

" They just go out and purchase these motorcycles and proceed to operate them as taxis. Members of the public who support them must be aware of this".

This is exactly why Rob is advising using a Red Plate (insured) taxi and not a robot taxi or an illegal bike taxi as a tourist. Yes, as mentioned, people

Unlike in Negril, most seasoned travelers away from tourist areas use route taxi's for all their trips from here to there and reserve charters for airport arrivals and departures.

. I live out on the island and don't have a vehicle. I use the route taxi system but still make sure it is a Red Plate (insured) taxi. Just because a guy/girl drives back and forth in Jamaica with a car or bike and carries passengers doesn't make them a legal taxi.

I have a good friend with a Red Plate who gives me Charter trips anywhere I want to go at a good, negotiated price. Personally, I feel it is better to pay a fair price for a safe ride than to risk paying my own medical expenses should something happen.

I support a LEGAL Route Taxi system.

Peace and Guidance