Sometimes my driver just wants a piece of sweets for a trip down the road!
Peace and Guidance
Sometimes my driver just wants a piece of sweets for a trip down the road!
Peace and Guidance
Free Opinions Offered. No tipping required. Hours: Open when I feel like it.
Nice Accompong. Needed that laugh my friend.
I think we've had this same discussion many times before...
The drivers we use are self-employed and own their own vehicles.
The US IRS allows 56 cents per mile for total car expenses, including depreciation. I don't think it's cheaper to buy and operate a car in Jamaica than in the US (and Rob, or someone else who lives there, if you disagree, I'd love to have you weigh in on this point). So if our driver comes from Negril to pick us up and take us back to Negril, or the reverse, I figure it's 100+ miles so his actual cost is $56. for the car, plus half a day of his time (as he is spending time waiting at the airport so he's there when we make it through customs and immigration). Given that personal service, I always pay $100., and more if we have him make stops on the way. And you know, I think the driver is happy to see us, rather than disrespecting us because we are paying over the going rate.
For comparison, if the two of us were to take the airport limousine shared bus service to the regional airport 55 miles from us, it's $85. per person each way. $130. per person round trip if we pay in advance. And the driver would also expect a tip.
I know people think I'm stupid for doing this, but it leaves me feeling as if I have treated someone fairly. And that's how I like to feel on vacations.
Last edited by wrtiii; 02-18-2015 at 10:57 AM.
Purchasing a vehicle in Jamaica comparatively to the US is approx. double the sticker price...and I'm not even going to get into the cost of financing a vehicle here...nevermind the cost of gas and insurance being alot more....oyyyy....
Posting Permissions
