Taxi Rates

[suzengrace]

. If you don't like the rate, use a route taxi, or don't whine about the fare!

I agree Rock robster..I live out in the cockpit country and take route taxis allover-I cant afford a charter everywhere I go nor do I have a car..Of course i have chartered cabs for certain occasions and will cont.. and using meters in Taxis in Jam??? No way-I could just see the corruption starting with that one(ie fixing the meteres, etc-to gain moneatary advantage) My comment about set rates for charters was just a suggestion- Since it seems many new tourists our confused by the system or have just plain been ripped out..It was something I was suggesting to those who are charter- only -for- tourists advocates... Which am not one those. I think the current system is fine..

[captaind]

I have seen a passenger in a route taxi pay with 100 in phone credit. She didn't have the cash but sent the driver 100 in credit from her phone to his.

[lisapat]

I know this thread has gone on for 8 pages so far, but could someone explain to me how the route taxis work for a newbie to the game....Do you just flag down a car driving on the road?....will they go where you ask or just run a "route" that you get out when you can? ...Flat rates for riding or negotiated?....very interested if someone could share

[Prism]

The route taxis have a pre determined route that they take. Either the beach road to the roundabout (middle of town) or the cliff road to the round about. A route taxi says that it it a route taxi on the side of the car and gives its rates, usually about 100j. No matter where you get in on his route thats what you pay. You can flag one down but usually they slow down and honk to see if you need a ride. Always ask to make sure they are charging you the 100j per person before you get in. The route taxi will stop on its way to pick up as many fares as he can fit in so you might be riding with a few other people. Sometimes if you ask they will take you somewhere else for more money but mostly they just run their route. So basically if you are staying on the beach and want to get to the cliffs, you hop in and go to the roundabout for 100j per person, get out and hop in another and it is another 100 j per person to the cliffs. Or if you are just going to the store you get out at the round about, do your stuff and catch another route taxi back.

[lisapat]

Thanks, Prism....that clarifies things a bit for me...I remember reading/hearing years back..."Whatever you do, don't get in the red plate cars, they aren't insured like the tour operators"....well, I figure that ANY tragic event/accident would be something one doesn't want to experience in Jamaica be it a car wreck or a cliff accident....but, we just have to be mindful of our surroundings best we can....I'm just looking to be able to continue our yearly visit to Negril w/out paying for the pricey A/I...(just can't afford it anymore)...We will have to learn as we go, and take in all the advice we can, as well as remember any teachable moments we experience.

[Prism]

No actually you do want to get in the red plate cars. They are insured and licenced. If it is a car with white plates it is just a guy trying to pick you up for money. So use the Red plates.

[pointvillagepete]

A lot of good points made here, thanks to Smith for the videos. Rocky is a fine driver, and is genuine as the day is long.

I have travelled route for many years, and when the small talk starts in the cars, most say slow time of year, not too many tourists, they could mean less people working, but I don't think so.

Maybe that tourist getting in a route to fill the car, merely means the alleged lady/man/local will be getting home quicker because tourist is traveling.

With all that being said there is no need to defend the system, for what it is, or isn't. Furthermore, no need to re invent the wheel either

[canuk cpl]

When at home I don't live a fivestar lifestyle, so when i visit another country, i try and be myself. I actuallyfeel more comfortable and relaxed living amongst regular people, negril style versus an AI. I feel out of sorts if someone is all yes sir, and trying to pamper me. A white plate taxi is akin to our under ground economy we have at home, no prob mon. By stetching my dollar in negril, by where i chose to eat, drink, and how i ride, i get to stretch the amount of time i can spend in negril. That is a risk i am willing to take. it's a winwin situation. instead of payng all my money to a travell agent, over a 7day period, i spread those same dollars over a 2-3 week span and put them directly in the hands of people who work in Negril. And its no different than at home, i look for cash deals at home, no reciept not just to save money but to help out the many here that have lost the good jobs that have disappeared. kinda feels the same way to me when I grab a white plate from the Hi-lo and the driver tells me, i'm his first fare of the day, and he's only been here acouple of hours. White plate, route taxi, no prob mon. Cheers!!!

[Rob]

Using an illegal taxi is not sound advice. Should an accident occur, anyone hurt will be looking for compensation. As a passenger you would have no compensation. Also, as an active participant in an illegal activity - you now become liable for any damages that others might suffer. If you do not have the cash in hand, you can end up in jail until a court date - which could literally be months off depending on the damages.

There is simply no reason to ever use an illegal white plate "taxi". Canuk Cpl - please think about the dynamics in that "first fare of the day" story - would you be as likely to tip if he said he had been busy all day? Trust me - there is no taxi in the world that makes money sitting idle for a couple hours waiting for a fare. Even the worst taxi driver in the world knows that...

[Craig123]

Also, as an active participant in an illegal activity - you now become liable for any damages that others might suffer. If you do not have the cash in hand, you can end up in jail until a court date - which could literally be months off depending on the damages.

Held liable for a 3rd party's neglegance. Certainly not the case in the US or Canadian courts but remember this is Jamaica so all bets are off. I assume Rob knows what he's talking about. Any Jamaican Lawyers lurking on this subject?