On the Subject of Taxis....

[smith744]

the difference between route and charter isn't just chump change to a lot of us.!

Consider this scenario:::::::::

I'm traveling solo
staying at one of those Rui resorts

i've got two taxi options:::: route-taxi or charter-taxi

I want to explore downtown and roam around Negril on a regular basis
on a 5-day vacation

i can make that 5-minute drive to downtown for Ja $200 round-trip route-taxi
or
i can charter-taxi for Ja$800 round-trip (if i can find a driver to do it)

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

do that Ja$800 enough-times, and we're talking about a whole-lot of money (for me)

Nope..!!..
I can't dew-wheat
can't manage

[Lola]

Two things:

Interesting that folks are being guided to use Charter vehicles instead of route taxis, yet route taxis can also be chartered... what, exactly is the recommendation for tourists to follow???

Rob, you stated earlier that there were more charter vehicles than route taxis in Negril, yet that was not the case in your count at the Corner Bar...

One more - addendum to Smith's map of the roundabout/plazas in Negril - while the area in front of Coral Seas Plaza is often used by taxis and their customers, I don't think it is an 'official' pickup area, because when there is police presence, the cars are not there. That's why I stated in an earlier post that there are 'known' areas where one can catch a ride...

I am, and have always been in full agreement that Jamaicans should have priority in using the system.

** Smith - thanks for the 'blinking lights' mention - I think I have seen that, I will watch for it. Sometimes they beep too.

[smith744]

You can laugh and feign all you want regarding not being a "big man", but remember, in the eyes of the vast majority of Jamaicans - you are a big man. Many have seen you have multiple opportunities to fly to Jamaica. Those that havent know you have been able to fly there at least once. In comparison, the majority of Jamaicans will never be able to afford to fly anywhere in their life. Personally, I dont find this anything to laugh about...

* sigh *

Rob, mi-thinks you need a vacation
you've been on the island too long

Come here to USofA, WashingtonDC
you're welcomed to stay here at my house
..no charge

keep in mind i use public transportation here-in-foreign,
not taxis --- route or otherwise

[captaind]

Consider this scenario:::::::::

I'm traveling solo
staying at one of those Rui resorts

(clip)

do that Ja$800 enough-times, and we're talking about a whole-lot of money (for me)

Nope..!!..
I can't dew-wheat
can't manage

If you're staying at Riu paying 3 - 4 hundred a day you'd do what?????

[CarrieBean]

Geez Rob, a simple explanation or a link to the other thread or impact study would have done just fine. Not sure why you feel the need to be condescending.

[Rob]

Yes, but my "guess" is the tourist industry in Jamaica wasn't quite as thriving then as it is now that needed to be taken into consideration. My "guess" is there were not as many tourists trying to get around to visit numerous locations in a town then as there are now. Lots of things are used differently from how they were originally intended (especially after 50 years) because times change.

The tourism industry has been growing since it started in the 1890's. The first tourist association was formed in 1910 (Jamaica Tourist Association). The first government agency was founded in 1922 (Jamaica Tourist Trade Development Board). In 1954, the government reorganized the Development Board and called it the JTB (Jamaica Tourist Board) that we know today. JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travelers Association) was formed shortly thereafter to serve the increasing transportation needs of the ever growing tourist industry.

The government has known since the 50's that the Jamaica Public Transportation would not be able to handle the various and growing needs of the tourists, thus the need for JUTA to exist. There are now other unions serving tourism needs in addition to JUTA (JCal and Maxi to name two) as the needs of the tourism industry grow. As a sidenote, the government defines a tourist as anyone staying at least 24 hours (overnight), but not more than a year.

----------------------------------------------------
The Jamaica Tourist Board has given us this regarding Jamaica Public Transportation and advice for visitors to the island:

Public transportation in Jamaica is nothing short of an exciting adventure. In Kingston, the capital city, large air-conditioned luxury coaches ply popular routes, but outside those areas, vehicles are less comfortable and arrive with less regularity. Buses, minibuses and route taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of people on the island, but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist.


For travel between towns, minibuses are the way to go, and travel on a Jamaican minibus certainly makes for an interesting experience. Along the way, you will see – and hear – the real Jamaica. But prepare to compete with luggage of varying sizes and contents. On longer trips, passengers almost become a community; somehow the shared experience of being so close to a complete stranger may create an unspoken bond.


Each town in Jamaica has a designated bus park, and although the destination stands are rarely marked, fret not, conductors eager to begin their trip will find you. Keep your luggage close to you – as you would anywhere else in the world – and be sure to double-check with the driver on fares and destinations BEFORE you board.


Quite often "route taxis" – cars that drive a designated course and pick up and drop off passengers at will – are the cheapest and fastest way to get from place to place. All registered taxis in Jamaica are required by law to have red "PP" licence plates. You are advised not to board any taxi operating illegally. You needn’t worry about missing a taxi; there is usually no need to look hard for another. Just stick your hand out and wave – one will come to a screeching halt before you.

-------------------------------------------------------

The key points to take away from this are:

All registered taxis in Jamaica are required by law to have red "PP" licence plates. You are advised not to board any taxi operating illegally.

Be sure to double-check with the driver on fares and destinations BEFORE you board.

Buses, minibuses and route taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of people on the island, but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist.

--------------------------------------------------------

Please remember that the route taxi was designed with the Jamaican populace in mind and is the primary means of transportation for the majority of the people on the island.

[smith744]

If you're staying at Riu paying 3 - 4 hundred a day you'd do what?????

lol
lol
that was a hypothetical
...'cause me-personally can't afford US $300-400 per day

but if i was staying at a Negril Rui, i would NOT use a charter-taxi
and i would definitely NOT use one of those charter-taxi that sit outside the resort
and i would NOT have the front-desk call a taxi for me

i would walk to the main road and hail a route-taxi

[Rob]

Two things:

Interesting that folks are being guided to use Charter vehicles instead of route taxis, yet route taxis can also be chartered... what, exactly is the recommendation for tourists to follow???

Rob, you stated earlier that there were more charter vehicles than route taxis in Negril, yet that was not the case in your count at the Corner Bar...

Lola,

I have mentioned that route taxis can be chartered, but lets face it, if you charter a route taxi, that is one less route taxi to server the Jamaican people. My recommondation would to use one of the charter taxis available all over Negril.

As for the vehicle count, if you count the only West End route taxis and the charter taxis, they both equaled 5. So the count is the same. The problem comes in with the number of non-West End route taxis driving off their route. Had they not been driving, the number of charter taxis may have been higher. We will never know the actual numbers because of the supply/demand issues that happen during busy season. When route taxis drive routes other than their own - it must skew the results.

[smith744]

but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist.

lol
lol
lol
lol
lol

here again:::::>>>> I love love love LOVE the choice-of-words

lol
lol
lol

intrepid ~~~ Adjective:
Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).
Synonyms: fearless - dauntless - undaunted - brave - bold - daring

* sigh *


folks need to STOP those word-games, where they attempt to give newcomers a feeling of dread.

oh well
so it goes

[smith744]

The key points to take away from this are:

.

for me,
THE-key take away point is::>>> "route taxis" are the cheapest and fastest way to get from place to place.

ESPECIALLY in a teeny-tiny town like Negril, with only two main roads