Taxi Rates

[Dana1]

Good info Rob! We always try to travel in "red plates". Not sure why Canuck Cpl chooses to use "white plates" when there are so many red plated route taxis to choose from? I don't think the fare could possibly be any less than the legal route taxis...

[tfw73]

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.

I am assuming that last part was for the guy who rides in the white plates. I do not nor do I want to. I just wanted to make sure the route taxis were licensed and insured. I will not put myself in harm's way, financially or otherwise.

[SweetSue]

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

RED PLATES are taxis - charter and route. WHITE PLATES are private vehicles. If you get into a car with a white plate, that's like hitch hiking and taking a ride from a stranger. You wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here. Safety 1st.

[SweetSue]

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?

I'm not a lawyer but I am definitely with Rob on this one. The TOURIST will always be viewed as the one most likely to have access to CA$H. Especially if street justice prevails. You just never know what the consequences may be and it is not worth the risk. The Taxi drivers with the red plate have taken the proper precautions, paid their dues, fees & insurances and deserve your business.

[tfw73]

RED PLATES are taxis - charter and route. WHITE PLATES are private vehicles. If you get into a car with a white plate, that's like hitch hiking and taking a ride from a stranger. You wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here. Safety 1st.

That is the answer that I was looking for. Some posts made me think that the route taxis were illegal (the white plate cars) so I wanted to clarify it. I wouldn't want to even attempt trying a route taxi if they were the white plated cars.

[Craig123]

I'm not a lawyer but I am definitely with Rob on this one. The TOURIST will always be viewed as the one most likely to have access to CA$H. Especially if street justice prevails. You just never know what the consequences may be and it is not worth the risk.

That being the case, people might want to re-think renting scooters and cars also. This thread could be bad for the rental business.

[Bnewb]

That being the case, people might want to re-think renting scooters and cars also. This thread could be bad for the rental business.

Only if you've illegally rented that scooter or car...!
Legitimate rental companies will be fine.

[Ras Walleye]

Oh lord, just when I thought our long taxi thread nightmare was over...

Such a long and heated thread for such a simple topic. Red plates only. Within the route, pay the route rate. Anything else negotiate the fare before you get in the taxi.
I have brought dozens of newbies to Negril and with those simple instructions no one has ever complained of being ripped off or confused.

Bless...
Ed

[Craig123]

Only if you've illegally rented that scooter or car...!
Legitimate rental companies will be fine.

OK. So street justice will only be applied in the case of illegal circumstances. I understand now. Thanks.

[brasi]

RED PLATES are taxis - charter and route. WHITE PLATES are private vehicles. If you get into a car with a white plate, that's like hitch hiking and taking a ride from a stranger. You wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here. Safety 1st.

Kind of crazy to expect not to take a ride with a friend...EVER? I get the point. BUT: c'mon. I mean. One of the hotel owners was very kind last reach and gave me a ride to the cambio on his way in to town. Are we "friends"? I guess. But we aren't chillin' at each others' kids' b-day parties...at some point...it's just a freakin' ride...no disrespect to anyone....but I didn't check the plates.

I got a ride with NegrilBob once too. (haha ok, pretty dumb...jk Bob) Is that "illegal?"

Anyyywayy, for my next reach, I want to take a route taxi to Sav, and meet my friend Bigga from Shades there and then proceed with him to Belmont....he's JUTA registered...so...all cool there, but I can cut the costs some if I take a cab to Sav, I think.

Anyone have any experience route taxiing to Sav? Costs etc?