On the Subject of Taxis....

[rastagirl777]

"Do you still take route taxis?

One thing in your points I do not understand. Why should someone only get into cabs with at least one Jamaican in the back? I would not stand there and let empty cabs go by because there was not a JA passenger in the back."

Irie-yes I do. Like I said, I also charter at times - depends on the situation. For example, if I am going to the grocery store I might take a "local" there but will call my driver to pick me up with my packages. I also find it easier/more convenient to hire my driver if I'm going out to Half Moon or out at night. I have a night driver I call if I am out past 11:00pm.

My first preference is always to walk...I do love walking!

As far as the Jamaican passenger in the back, like Rob said, the robberies I'm referring to took place in white plated cars. Someone else mentioned that getting into this type of "taxi" is akin to hitchhiking here. The suggestion of the passenger in the back was made by another resident and I thought good point - if there is already a passenger in the car, in the back seat that means that taxi is operating properly so no shenanigans. I want to go on record here saying that I personally have never heard of a robbery taking place in or around a red-plated taxi...but even after so many years of coming here, living here etc., I am always open to new suggestions regarding my personal safety.

Rob - I retracted my comment from the previous thread after I talked with some folks in the neighborhood AND after plain ol' observances (eyes opened because of that thread actually) - town is very busy this week (and last) and I personally have seen several locals ride by filled by tourists. Even though there are nuff route taxis riding around, the more they are occupied by tourists in high season the less the Jamaican/expat worker has a chance to actually get to and from work.

[irieworld]

ah ok, I didn't get that it was a safety tip, thanks for clarifying. I love walking too. Last trip I tried walking to Seastar from NBCC but got hot hot. I got as far as Easy Rock Internet Cafe and had to jump in a cab--I wimped out. Also I am mostly there in low season--maybe that is why my empty cab experiences.

[SLP]

I use Route Taxi BUT only during off peak hours. If I see an empty taxi at this time I use it. There have been times when I was the only rider so I don't feel bad about it. That being said, when I go to exchange money or for groceries I ALWAYS use my driver. He either waits for me or comes into the grocery store. I also use him at night. I feel safer with someone I know when it's dark.

[Rob]

Lola,

What? Do you think a driver would not ever stop for someone again if they say "no thanks"?

You must be joking! There is no mysterious gesture or keyword needed. A simple "no thanks" will never offend a legit taxi operator...

[BrenJaLee]

Unfortunately, I have tried to decline white plates on several occasions and every time, I've been yelled at by not only the driver but others around. When I see they are white plate, I simply say, no thank you, I'm waiting for a red plate. Immediately I've been screamed at, harrassed, once to the point of actually being scared (the only time I have ever been truly scared in Negril). If I started walking away to get out of the situation, they were still screaming, calling me names. All because I want to take a red plate because I know THAT'S the one that's legal. Even leaving a restaurant once (I won't name the establishment), it was dark and one of the workers (not sure if it was the owner or not) asked if I needed a taxi and I said yes. He flagged a car and it was a white plate. I politely said, no, I would prefer to use a red plate. Again he starts into the rant of It's OK It's OK, he's legal, blah blah. It is frustrating when you can't trust anyone and they try to shove you into an illegal car doing everything they can to convince you it's legal when you know otherwise.

[rastagirl777]

Bren-that is frustrating. But hold your ground, especially if you do not know the person hailing the cab for you.

I say "no thanks" to taxis all the while I'm here. I've never had a problem flagging one down, even if I've refused a ride from one previously for one reason or another. With the white plated taxis I also say no thank you but don't go into explanations as to why I'm declining the ride...the most "hostile" it ever got for me was leaving the donkey races last year when one practically ran me over to try to get me to take a ride - and I already had my driver coming to pick me up!

[Sam I Am]

OK, so here is my question...
As a solo traveler, I most often walk or use route taxis. If I need to charter a taxi, are there some recommendations from people here of who to use? I have the names/numbers of tour drivers for long trips, but I dont have a trusted day or night driver to charter in Negril. If I am going to a bar on the west end from the beach, I would probably just charter someone (red plate) who pulled up on the road, but if going to exchange money, I would prefer to use someone trusted on this board. Names/numbers? Thanks!

[SweetSue]

GOOD POINTS MADE ABOUT SAFETY. When you pack your bags to travel, DON'T leave your common sense at home. This applies to the transportation, whether you plan to ride route cab or charter. It if is not a RED plate, it is not LEGIT! You would not jump into a stranger's car back home in the states, why in the world would you do so in another country.

Another thought, the presence of another Jamaican in the car does NOT guarantee that there will be "no shenanigans." It could be a tandem operation. Once when I was coming out of Sun Beach to go back home to Hanover, a car stopped like a taxi with a lovely young woman in the front seat. My first clue was when the young woman was the one who asked me "you need a ride sweetie?" That turned me off even before I noted that the plate was white. I refused and waited for a legal route cab. My Jamaican friends assured me that it was very likely that this was a potential set up as it would put most people at ease to see a young woman in the front. Little do they know she could have been truly riding "shot gun." If you get into the front seat of a "white plate taxi" just because someone is in the back, you don't know if they are passenger or partner. It is not worth the risk.

[rastagirl777]

"Another thought, the presence of another Jamaican in the car does NOT guarantee that there will be "no shenanigans." It could be a tandem operation."
Sweet Sue, sorry you misunderstood. This suggestion was regarding red plated taxis...where most likely shenanigans would not happen anyway. My post is advising people to NEVER get into a white plated car that claims to be a taxi.

Also, my suggestion was to not get into a taxi unless there was a Jamaican passenger sitting in the BACK seat. In the off chance the driver has badness on his mind, and has a partner, they will most likely be sitting in the front seat.

[rastagal]

I just remembered that on my last trip the same thing happened when a "taxi" pulled up and asked if we needed a ride. We were walking but getting tired, so I thought about it, then peeked around the back of the car to check the plate....so he immediately starts getting all worked up about why am I checking the plate, blah blah blah...I just said no thanks, we are just going to walk. He was not happy but whatever. That is the ONLY time I can ever recall having any issue regarding something like that.