A brief history of Route Taxis as they are today. The Japanese sent used cars (mostly Toyotas) to Jamaica and took coffee and other products [as well as money] back to Japan. Of course they sold the coffee mostly to the US at astronomical prices and made out like a bandit on that.

These cars are referred to a "Deportee" vehicles. Private individuals purchased them and started to carry passengers so more extensive routes developed and the gov't and JUTA were quick to require a Red Plate and Insurance to be legal. After a while, people who owned one car made enough money to purchase another and then the leasing to drivers started to be popular. A driver will lease a car from the owner for a set amount per day. This requires the driver to beat the hell out of a vehicle to make the payment and turn a small profit per day for his/her work.

This means that Route Taxis and other Red Plated vehicles can be acquired for what is called "private tours". One method is to go from point A to point B in a regular Route Taxi who is assigned to that route and offer him enough money to take you without other passengers. They are regulated by size to number of passengers they can take so I just multiply a single fare price by (between 5 and 10 depending on a sedan or a small bus) and offer that as a starting point. Of course, you need to pay for BOTH ways.

A better way is to just offer a Red Plated driver an amount for a days rental. If you know a Tour Operator takes someone for a normal $100 US to Black River as an example....offer $75 US or something similar. Give yourself room to bargain on the final price.

Peace and Guidance.