On the Subject of Taxis....

[Melody]

I have not yet been to Negril (1st visit in 1 week) so I have no experienced opinion, but am reading these threads carefully so as to learn what is appropriate.

I take it that for the most part I should charter a taxi (red plate of course) unless maybe I'm just going up the road a bit during mid day? Does that mean that I should stick either with my hotel's driver (even though it may be quite expensive, ie: $10 down the beach, $20 from beach to ciffs, one way) or else I'd need to find someone I can call?

If I'm walking and a red plate route taxi driver, with no passengers stops to ask if I want a ride, I should decline if I figure it's getting close to the end of the workday?

If it's the middle of the afternoon & there doesn't appear to be many locals requiring rides, I should never ask a route taxi driver if he's willing to provide a charter service for an agreed upon price? (say from Country Country to the Canoe Bar)?

I don't intend any attitude whatsoever, I'm just getting confused, I thought I'd just gotten the protocol down by reading others' advice & now it appears that I need to rethink all that. If I need to stick to the high end taxi prices, it is going to limit, by quite a bit, where I go while there, and how often. As mentioned in a thread I started here a few days ago, I don't have a lot of money so holidays are few and far between for me. I started that thread inquiring which restaurants offer complimentary pick up and some comments hinted that I shouldn't be so cheap as I can get anywhere for $5. I doubt that would be correct if I rely on using charter taxis priced similarly to the drivers at my hotel.

Not all tourists are well off. I don't own a house. I would not fall into the middle class category. If I had "money" I wouldn't have a problem throwing money around while there. Does that mean that I should stay home?

If route taxis are not for tourists, and the government can't afford a bus or shuttle system for tourists to use, is there no one who could start a legit, safe shuttle service that maybe runs every half hour or 20 minutes up & down, from long beach through to the west end, for perhaps $3-$4 pp? Is that not financially feasible?

As mentioned, I haven't yet been there, so perhaps I'm out to lunch and it's been tried & scrapped for some reason in the past...just trying to find a way for visitors of modest means to make visiting Negril and getting around while there, work.

And yes, if anyone has names & numbers of safe & reasonably priced red plated charter drivers, who don't mind being called out for a 5 minute (or less) drive, please share!

[Rob]

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.

The reason the driver got "worked up" was that they were an illegal taxi. Legal taxis have no worry about such issues. For decades there has been a thriving illegal taxi market that benefited from tourists not knowing the difference. Thanks to sites like this, tourist now know the easy rule to always use red plated legal taxis. Knowledge is power.

Does that mean that I should stick either with my hotel's driver (even though it may be quite expensive, ie: $10 down the beach, $20 from beach to ciffs, one way) or else I'd need to find someone I can call?

Hotel drivers are the easiest, but not the cheapest choice. It is a convenience and you will pay for the convenience. The drivers are allowed to park their vehicles at the resort to wait for a fare, but the hotel does expect some sort of compensation for allowing them to park there. The hotel will generally get a "cut" of the fare which explains why they charge more. The hotel will often set the price based on what their clientele can afford. The more expensive the lodging, the more they will charge. Please note, it is not a big money maker for the hotel - their main business is providing room and board, not transportation.

If I'm walking and a red plate route taxi driver, with no passengers stops to ask if I want a ride, I should decline if I figure it's getting close to the end of the workday?

A route taxi will not stop and ask you if you need a ride. A route taxi would no more stop and ask you for a ride than would a public transportation bus stop for each person they see walking. If any legal taxi stops without you flagging them down, they will be a charter taxi - not a route taxi. As for accepting the ride, at that point it is up to your whether you want a ride or not. This is capitalism at its finest, you pay only the amount you are willing to pay, and the driver can then choose to accept it or not. If they dont accept it - just wait for the next taxi to come along.

If it's the middle of the afternoon & there doesn't appear to be many locals requiring rides, I should never ask a route taxi driver if he's willing to provide a charter service for an agreed upon price? (say from Country Country to the Canoe Bar)?

To stop a route taxi and ask if they will become a charter for you is once again capitalism at is most basic level. It is up to the driver to decide whether they want to become a charter. But realistically, there are so many non-route taxis available there is little need to ask a route taxi to act as a charter taxi.

I don't intend any attitude whatsoever, I'm just getting confused, I thought I'd just gotten the protocol down by reading others' advice & now it appears that I need to rethink all that. If I need to stick to the high end taxi prices, it is going to limit, by quite a bit, where I go while there, and how often. As mentioned in a thread I started here a few days ago, I don't have a lot of money so holidays are few and far between for me. I started that thread inquiring which restaurants offer complimentary pick up and some comments hinted that I shouldn't be so cheap as I can get anywhere for $5. I doubt that would be correct if I rely on using charter taxis priced similarly to the drivers at my hotel.

Not all tourists are well off. I don't own a house. I would not fall into the middle class category. If I had "money" I wouldn't have a problem throwing money around while there. Does that mean that I should stay home?

This whole subject sounds confusing but it is really very simple. You never have to pay more than you want. It is called CAPITALISM. If you want to pay no more than $5us to go to HiLo, tell the driver "I will give you $5us to go to HiLo" - then it will be up to them to accept or decline the offer. There is no reason to stay home, but lets be realistic again, you are a vacation, dont sweat the pocket change.

If route taxis are not for tourists, and the government can't afford a bus or shuttle system for tourists to use, is there no one who could start a legit, safe shuttle service that maybe runs every half hour or 20 minutes up & down, from long beach through to the west end, for perhaps $3-$4 pp? Is that not financially feasible?

Route taxis were not designed with tourists in mind. This is a simple truth. But what you suggest isnt going to happen anytime in the near future. As I mentioned in previous threads, I have been going to meetings for nearly 2 decades with the most influential folks in the Negril community, and no viable option has been able to be decided upon. So until a new system is developed, it will remain capitalism at is most basic level. As for your direct question about $3-$4us pp from the beach to cliffs, I dont know any legit taxi who would not take you up on that offer. Just stand firm on your price, and you will find a ride at the price.

[Van]

I never feel bad about using a route taxi. You are paying if no room you will not be picked up, another will come by quickly.

[Rhodesresort]

Walking along the road, especially along the cliffs is dangerous. We do not recommend it.

[Marko]

Walking along the road, especially along the cliffs is dangerous. We do not recommend it.

been doing that since the 80's and never had a problem.....
though I do concur wi need some sidewalks and lights etc on the Cliffs.........
and speed bumps on the beach road.......always room for improvement anywhere.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Big_frank]

Taxi's in Negril....charter taxi's ...route cabs ......whatever!...are a BARGAIN.
For 500 dollars, I can go from the beach to my deep west hotel in a private red plate taxi.
Must less in a legal route cab.
That's about 6 dollars in north american money.
In my home city (Niagara Falls Canada), it would cost at least 15 dollars to travel that distance.

[Marko]

IF you are going to attempt the route taxi system here:
1. Make sure before you get into the cab that there is at least 1 Jamaican passenger IN THE BACK SEAT. (This would mean that if you are a party of 4, this would not be an option for you.)

if a route taxi driver stops for mi and offers mi a ride and there is nobody in the taxi........we are suppose to decline a ride?
really.......one love eh........
funny all those years married to Jamaican and living in Negril.......
and traveling to Jamaica......and thru Jamaica.......I was never told that.......
and it would have taken forever to get to the cottage most of the times if that was the case...

then that taxi driver stops again for another fare and that person is suppose to decline a ride cause there is nobody in the taxi?
really.......

the taxi driver is going to end up with no fares if that is the case because it first takes a person in the taxi to be able to pick up fares.....he'll be out of business before the sun goes down

guess I missed that class in Business 101.........lol

from the good route taxi driver drivers that mi have known....they pick up as many fares as possible in a day......no matter who they are......as long as they have room

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Melody]

$500 JMD from beach to far west end is per person, correct? I've read that the usual rate for 2 pp is $10 - $15 US. I'm just wondering if charter taxis are just as plentiful on the street as route taxis; as the OP & others are suggesting that tourists should avoid using route taxis either altogether or for sure during "rush hour" because route taxis are intended for the working people, not tourists.

Apparently the "house taxi" at my hotel is more costly so I'd like to find out where to find the "bargain" charter taxis you refer to, while still avoiding using route taxis designated for locals. I guess I'm looking for phone numbers or what to look for on the street (other than just red plates). I do realize that route taxis have their route posted on the side of the vehicle, so I guess I look for no route on the side & red plates & then negotiate price before getting in.

[Rob]

$500 JMD from beach to far west end is per person, correct? I've read that the usual rate for 2 pp is $10 - $15 US. I'm just wondering if charter taxis are just as plentiful on the street as route taxis; as the OP & others are suggesting that tourists should avoid using route taxis either altogether or for sure during "rush hour" because route taxis are intended for the working people, not tourists.

There is no "usual" rate - it is always up to you to determine the price. Capitalism once again. But JA$500 will rarely be turned down for a beach to cliffs run.

The number of route taxis on any given route is limited, and there are always many more charter taxis than route taxis.

[brasi]

I'm not going to argue with any of the folks that LIVE in Negril...I always defer...but if it's true that the route taxi system is "for Jamaicans" then give them a residency card or something...to expect me or anyone to pay more (because I'm not from Jamaica-) using an "honor system" is not a great plan...in my opinion...

Lots of issues arise...and would be cleared up that way...show an ID or Ja residency card...get a $100J fare.

OH: and also have the route cab guys stop beeping at me for rides if they don't want my money. I never look very far and there is a route cab right there...I hand over $150J....nothing is said...

Edited: I am all for paying my share...and can recognize how important public transport is for Jamaicans. I just think some transparency/consistency could be added to the current system...