Taxi Rates

[Rob]

Canuk Cpl,

You are entitled to do as you want, but to recommend others to do an illegal activity without explaining that they are taking a huge risk of spending time in jail and huge out of pocket expenses is not fair to others. The pocket change you might save using an illegal white plate taxi is not worth the risks involved and it will not be helping the economy in any sort of real way. You would do better to buy a single hungry person a beef patty per day.

Driving the 401, if you are properly insured, does not put you at risk of taking part in an illegal activity and at risk of jail time in another country. If you choose to drive the 401 uninsured, well, that is pretty much equally unsound advice as taking an illegal taxi in Jamaica...

Craig123,

If you choose to take an illegal taxi, you are the one who is paying the driver for the illegal ride. Your money and your intent to secure an illegal taxi is making the transaction happen. You are involved. If someone is hurt and/or property is damaged, not only will you be legally involved, but things could escalate in a matter of seconds should you try to deny your fault. You may be able to claim ignorance of the law in court, but it certainly wont work on the streets if something bad happens. As we all know, tempers can flare when someone is seriously hurt or there is extensive damage to property. And you dont need to be dealing with this nonsense especially when you are vacationing in a foreign country.

To all,

There is simply no reason to ever take an illegal white plate "taxi". The legal taxis are easily identifiable for this very reason. They have red license plates. If you really have to save each penny each day while you are on vacation, the route taxi is there to make your trips very affordable. If you can spare a just a few extra dollars each day, and you like to save time and have the convenience of going where you want when you want, then the charter taxis are there for your choosing.

But there is simply no logical reason to ever take a white plate vehicle as they are not legal taxis and have no license or insurance to transport you anywhere.

[canuk cpl]

Thanks Rob, I think we all appreciate your help and advice. I am sorry if I gave the impression that i was giving any advice, I was only sharing my experience of how I get around Negril. I guess legally speaking if i were to ride in a white plate vehicle, I must now become a friend and not a customer, like i said before i live in a world of grey, where rules are bent. I definitely don't want to see anyones buzz get harshed. Cheers!!!

[tfw73]

So hold up, are route taxis red plates? Or, by very definition of being a route taxi, they are white plated?

I'm all for saving money but I am not very putting myself in a dangerous place (financially and legally).

[captaind]

Licensed and insured vehicles all carry the PPV (red) plate and are public passenger vehicles and are for hire either for route or charter.

White is a private vehicle not licensed to carry paying passengers

[tfw73]

But what I am asking is, are route taxis licensed and insured? Or are they all white plates?

[Rhodesresort]

Rob -

Thank you. Your last response says it all. Hope all will read it several times.

We are concerned about this issue as it shows up repeatedly, offering dangerous advice to newcomer's, which is why we jumped in.

It's an issue that can be "life threatening", and definitely an issue that effects the Jamaican economy.

No "lol" on this subject.

Always with respect, and again,

Thank you!

[captaind]

But what I am asking is, are route taxis licensed and insured? Or are they all white plates?

Let me say this again:

Licensed and insured vehicles all carry the PPV (red) plate and are public passenger vehicles and are for hire either for route or charter.

White is a private vehicle not licensed to carry paying passengers

[Rob]

But what I am asking is, are route taxis licensed and insured? Or are they all white plates?

All Taxis have red license plates - no taxis have white plates.

All route taxis have red plates - no route taxis have white plates.

All charter taxis have red plates - no charter taxis have white plates.

As a visitor to Jamaica, DO NOT GET IN A WHITE PLATED VEHICLE as they are NOT A LEGAL TAXI

ALL LEGAL TAXIS (Red plated vehicles) are licensed and insured to carry paying passengers. Private cars (white plated vehicles) are not licensed or insured to carry you, a paying passenger.

As Rhodes has mentioned, this is not a joking matter. Should something happen - there can be very serious consequences for you - the paying passenger.

And claiming that you are a friend with a driver will make no difference. You do not live in Jamaica, you are a visitor. How can you prove you are a friend? The burden would be on you. If the driver is acting as a taxi (taking you from point a to point b), then you will be guilty of taking an illegal taxi. The courts will not rule in your favor - you will be considered a paying passenger no matter what you claim to be.

[Craig123]

Craig123,

If you choose to take an illegal taxi, you are the one who is paying the driver for the illegal ride. Your money and your intent to secure an illegal taxi is making the transaction happen. You are involved. If someone is hurt and/or property is damaged, not only will you be legally involved, but things could escalate in a matter of seconds should you try to deny your fault. You may be able to claim ignorance of the law in court, but it certainly wont work on the streets if something bad happens. As we all know, tempers can flare when someone is seriously hurt or there is extensive damage to property. And you dont need to be dealing with this nonsense especially when you are vacationing in a foreign country.

Thanks Rob. That validates my comments. Beware!!!!!! Passengers are or could be responsible for neglegence of drivers (at least street justice). But remember this only aplpies to illegal taxis.

[captaind]

When I travel in my son's car with the white plate I carry copies of my title, TRN, my old residency and work permit and copy our adoption papers.

If you can't produce that type of proof you are participating in an illegal activity.