Taxi Rates

[RockRobster]

Yetta,

"If a route taxi is empty, isn't some money better than none???"

Perhaps so? But, lets agree to disagree.

Jamaica is a developing country, known as a third world country. In an already depressed economy, taking advantage will not help the people. Gas prices are higher in Jamaica than in the United States. The local taxi rates are based on, again, a very depressed economy. "Just imagine how much more $$ they could make if more tourists used the route taxi". No matter how many tourists use route taxis, paying the driver local rates still doesn't cover it.

This is sheer economic nonsense. How can more riders, local or tourist, on a 'route' taxi not "cover" it? Is your argument that the incremental weight of a north american tourist is so great as to upset the fuel mileage so much that the 100J fare won't cover the additional fuel used for this fare? For a 'route taxi' to maximize his profit potential per 'route' run, his goal is to keep his taxi as full as possible for as long as possible. Empty space = lost fare/lost profit opportunity. Therefore, the taxi would want to fill itself and is not concerned with whom it fills its capacity with, as long as they pay!

And, as to the argument that a worker returning home after a hard day at work having to wait for the next route taxi because the last one was full up with pasty white faces is somehow harmed by the pasty faced tourists using the route taxis......my thoughts are that the worker is glad to see that there are enough tourists in town that the route taxis are full of them. That means that economy is doing better and that worker's job is that much more secure. If I was a worker coming off this summer's economic hell in JA, I'd be well pleased to see route taxis crammed with tourists.

[irieworld]

paying the route taxi rate is not taking advantage of anyone. Why would you make a divide in people like that rhodeshall? Everyone human, taking route taxi--why would one person have to pay a different price? Because Jamaica is a developing country? I lived in India for 3 years and never was asked to pay more than anyone else for transportation. I do not have a pocket full of cash, in fact I barely get by. But I love Jamaica so that I scrape it together to make trips. I pay the same amount at JA grocery stores as locals, I pay the same for gas, I pay the same for cooked food, and I pay the same for route taxis.

[yetta]

Amen, mi sista!

[Rhodesresort]

It's all about the economy. No offense intended.

[smith744]

It's all about the economy. No offense intended.

no offense taken

we just reasoning, mi fren

economy-wise,
have no fear.

don't worry yourself

afterall,
SisterP is back na tru
everything gonna be all right ----- soon --- so she-say

p.s... didn't IMF just give Jamaica a some money..??...

[Craig123]

p.s... didn't IMF just give Jamaica a some money..??...

With all due respect to Smith744, the IMF loan is a double edged sword. Those loans have conditions attached that result in damage to Jamaican industries through the imposition of free trade. The percieved benefit of the loans are questionable at best.

[Dana1]

It's all about the economy. No offense intended.

The economy is tough world-wide! We're already contributing to the Jamaican economy by booking trips to Jamaica and spending our hard-earned cash during our stays. Doesn't mean we should have to pay inflated fees just because we are "tourists"! Besides, it's rare that most of us actually just pay the going rate....most of us tip for services.

[luvjabd]

Thanks, well said Smith and Irieworld!


If I take a taxi any where else in the world, Im not expected to buy the driver beers. I will tip, based on service, but one should not insinuate that tourists should pay more.

Ummmm, one question, if driving a taxi was such a hard way to go why do so many people do it?

[rastagirl777]

I got "hipped" to the route taxi system in the early 90's and have not looked back. I've never had a driver give me an issue when I handed them the standard fare. 100JMD from me or a Jamaican - no difference, its still 100JMD.

In more recent years, as the internet became more prevalent more tourists are know about and use route taxis. So between December and April these guys can make even more money.

Rhodes, I don't see where economy is relevant here. Personally, for certain drives I still use my charter drivers. I personally try to spread it around as much as possible. But not only are route taxis convenient, they are relatively inexpensive and that gives the tourist some more money in their pocket to spend say, on a tour or a beer at your place!

[Bnewb]

Fact...
The route taxi system was not designed with the tourist in mind.
Fact...
The going rates are set based on the typical wage for the local workers. The typical wage being less the $60.00us per week.
Fact...
In order to serve the growing tourism trade JUTA was created to specifically serve the travelers visiting the island. "The JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travelers Association) - Negril Chapter was formed in the early 1960's and was founded with 50 original members. JUTA was formed because of a need to provide tour and taxi movement in and around Negril as well as from International Airports and all tourist attractions and locations throughout Jamaica."

In summation...
The route taxi system was created to serve the local population...while there won't be any reason visitors to the island are not allowed to use the route taxi system...it is a misconception for anyone to think it was created for visitors & local population alike...that was never the intention.