Route Taxi Fares

[LivinInThe603]

I am just reflecting on this topic and wonder what the local/driver perspective is? Is it impolite as a visitor to expect a local rate? Is it more respectful to charter a taxi? I have used the route taxi system for the last few years, and never have a problem, just curious.

[Rob]

I am just reflecting on this topic and wonder what the local/driver perspective is? Is it impolite as a visitor to expect a local rate? Is it more respectful to charter a taxi? I have used the route taxi system for the last few years, and never have a problem, just curious.

By law, route taxis are not allowed to discriminate, they are supposed to treat everyone the same.

But for many passengers it is their only affordable way of getting around. Chartering a driver is beyond their means.

Keep that in mind and there should not be a problem.

[LivinInThe603]

By law, route taxis are not allowed to discriminate, they are supposed to treat everyone the same.

But for many passengers it is their only affordable way of getting around. Chartering a driver is beyond their means.

Keep that in mind and there should not be a problem.

Thank you!

[saeyedoc]

I just try not to use it when school kids or resort workers are in full force as that is their main source of transportation.

[LivinInThe603]

I just try not to use it when school kids or resort workers are in full force as that is their main source of transportation.

great perspective, Thanks!

[Bnewb]

Reflecting on what you've asked, Living...

I'm thinking about the difference in North American and Jamaican taxi/bus prices...with the prices being much higher in NA of course.
The insurance etc is very similar in both NA & JA and in some aspects being much more in Jamaica (ie. cost of the vehicle).
I truly don't know how some of these taxi drivers survive in JA.

The red plate license fees (the only legal license to carry paying passengers) are astronomical for many of these drivers now...and many simply cannot afford to license their vehicles any more and have gone into other work...if work is to be found.
Truly frustrating!

[LivinInThe603]

Reflecting on what you've asked, Living...

I'm thinking about the difference in North American and Jamaican taxi/bus prices...with the prices being much higher in NA of course.
The insurance etc is very similar in both NA & JA and in some aspects being much more in Jamaica (ie. cost of the vehicle).
I truly don't know how some of these taxi drivers survive in JA.

The red plate license fees (the only legal license to carry paying passengers) are astronomical for many of these drivers now...and many simply cannot afford to license their vehicles any more and have gone into other work...if work is to be found.
Truly frustrating!

I wonder, then, how does the driver actually earn pay. Are drivers required to track and submit information on the number of fares they carry each shift? or do they pay a "boss" a certain percentage of fares collected? or do they keep the fares they collect and pay the required fees to maintain their cars and their licences?

My train of thought is like this.... maybe, given the financial challenges drivers face, using route taxis can actually assist/support the local economy.... ?

[Irine]

I know they are trying to do the right thing as law makers, but the whole thing bums me out. I've been riding with the same non-plated driver for years now, he's become my friend. We go on up to his house at the head of the roaring river and eat an hang out with his sister and kids, I'm really torn on this one. I know there are great red plate drivers out there, but this man is my friend and now I can't ride with him? Is there anyway we could explain that to the authorities if they pulled us over? Need to start Jamaican Uber driver. Rob, do they have anything like Uber on the rock?

[Bnewb]

I know they are trying to do the right thing as law makers, but the whole thing bums me out. I've been riding with the same non-plated driver for years now, he's become my friend. We go on up to his house at the head of the roaring river and eat an hang out with his sister and kids, I'm really torn on this one. I know there are great red plate drivers out there, but this man is my friend and now I can't ride with him? Is there anyway we could explain that to the authorities if they pulled us over? Need to start Jamaican Uber driver. Rob, do they have anything like Uber on the rock?

You never could ride with him legally as a paying customer. He was engaging you in an illegal act.
As far as proving it to authorities...you're a tourist...unless you have family here when you visit, it's going to be looked at as a client/customer relationship.

[Rob]

There should not be anything to be torn about. It is how things work here, "the runnings" as they say.

The majority of tour operators started as route taxi drivers. Currently, route drivers pay between $5000-$7000 per day for 5 days, get one day off and one day they make all the money for themselves.

The owner of the vehicle pays for all the legalities. Fees, insurance and whatnot. They earned and deserve their money.

I have had route driver friends tell me that they can't afford it anymore and are going to stop driving. Equally, I have had tour drivers tell me that they are going back to be a route driver because the legalities are too high for them to make any money.

There is always a cost of doing business, and when non-legit entities take advantage of the system, it only raises the cost for the legit operators.

If you really want to help the Negril and Jamaican economy, support the legal businesses. Each time you use non-legit "business" you simply raise the cost of doing business for all the legit operations.

If you have a friend you really want to help, help them become a business person. That means getting registered, licensed, legal and insured. They will need to know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Help them learn what business means and don't be their crutch as much as that temporarily makes us feel good.

Be part of the solution....