On the Subject of Taxis....

[Lola]

Much of what is or is/was built in Jamaica is not designed with visitors in mind - or even if it was, without realizing the future impact, that's why folks travel, to see things that are different than what they already know. This comment makes me think of the sidewalk from the round-a-bout to Winners Plaza - all broken up - rough for anyone to walk on. [/COLOR]

...interesting factor was that only 5 of the route taxis had West End painted on the side. The other route taxis had designations from other areas. While technically they are driving the route illegally, this does show a very simple supply/demand relationship during busy season. The MAJORITY of the route taxis operating during this very short time period were not even supposed to be on that route. During that same time period there were probably several West End taxis driving the Beach Road... Its not just tourists that purchase these diversions, locals do it too. Drivers take care of their personal business while they are out driving, as well. And possibly some of these route cars had been chartered for that particular drive.

So now they are not servicing their own routes - which of course would have an impact on their route passengers. The local populace that was served by these route taxis are not being served during busy season. The off-route drivers are going to pick them up if they come through before an on-route car. There is no timed schedule to adhere to.

And then we have the issue of busy vs slow season. .... So, if that single route taxi that passes by is filled with tourists trying to save pocket change on a ride, then they may have to wait an additional 15 minutes before the next ride comes by. As you stated, this example is for slow season, so not a constant occurrence. Seeing a route car full of tourists could mean that route driver decided to carry them as a charter and not that they picked them up along the way. (I don't see any discussion here that route drivers shouldn't do this - many have 'chartered' signs they keep in their car)... Folks who visit as part of a group of travelers tend to use charter drivers with larger vehicles.

While you can think that "it would never be the case" that every single tourist would take a route taxi, the truth is that there could easily be enough of them doing it to seriously change the usefulness of the route taxis for the local population. 'truth' is a word with different meanings. Is this a verified or verifiable fact?

Since tourism began in the Negril area, Jamaicans from other areas of the island have come to the Negril area to participate in it. Haven't they impacted the public transportation system? Are there more residents in Negril now than there were in the past, also having an impact? Hasn't there been an increase in the number of route drivers over the years to accommodate these changes?

Interesting discussion.

[Rob]

Since tourism began in the Negril area, Jamaicans from other areas of the island have come to the Negril area to participate in it. Haven't they impacted the public transportation system? Are there more residents in Negril now than there were in the past, also having an impact? Hasn't there been an increase in the number of route drivers over the years to accommodate these changes?

Interesting discussion.

Lola,

I am missing the logic in your comments in defense of the idea that visitors to the island have no impact on the route taxi system.

Lets start with the first comment "much of what is or is/was built in Jamaica is not designed with visitors in mind". Say what? The first thing thing a visitor to Jamaica sees is the airport or the cruise docks. BOTH were designed with the visitor in mind. How can you suggest the first thing they see wasnt designed with them in mind. The new highway project, the first roads they travel on, are most certainly designed with tourists in mind. Why else would the first sections to be completed be the road to Negril, and the road to Ocho Rios - both from Montego Bay. All three of these places are major tourist destinations.

Every hotel or resort in Negril was designed with the visitor in mind. Virtually every restaurant in Negril was designed with the tourist in mind. The original charter taxi union, JUTA was designed with the tourist in mind.

The water treatment plant and the sewage system in Negril was designed with the tourists in mind. That is the main reason they were built in the first place. The population of Negril, being around 5000, would have never been enough residents to have the system built to the capacity it was or as early as it was built. And even the sidewalk example you bring up, it was not designed being broken up. When it was designed it was smooth. It only broke up over time. It may be rough to walk on at present, but what makes you think it was designed to be rough to walk on?

The next comments you make are interesting:

1 ) "During that same time period there were probably several West End taxis driving the Beach Road... Its not just tourists that purchase these diversions, locals do it too. Drivers take care of their personal business while they are out driving, as well. And possibly some of these route cars had been chartered for that particular drive."

2) "As you stated, this example is for slow season, so not a constant occurrence. Seeing a route car full of tourists could mean that route driver decided to carry them as a charter and not that they picked them up along the way. (I don't see any discussion here that route drivers shouldn't do this - many have 'chartered' signs they keep in their car)... Folks who visit as part of a group of travelers tend to use charter drivers with larger vehicles."

Both these comments are interesting to me to gain insight into what you are thinking. In the first one you suggest that Jamaicans have an impact on the route taxi system. I have to agree with that - of course Jamaicans have an impact on a system that was designed with them in mind. But if that is true and we both agree that it is, then logic dictates that the impact the tourist has on the system is ABOVE AND BEYOND that of the Jamaicans.

The second comment simply points out that even if the route taxi has decided to carry the tourists as a charter, then there would obviously be one less route taxi on the road at the moment to pick up the local residents. Thus, more impact on the route taxi system by tourists using a route taxi as a charter rather than using a charter taxi in the first place.

This comment "The off-route drivers are going to pick them up if they come through before an on-route car. There is no timed schedule to adhere to." doesnt make much sense to me. What off route taxi are you talking about? And why is it okay for someone who depends on this service daily to have to depend on some off-route taxi that may or may not exist? While there may not be a timed schedule, when you depend daily each year on a service like this to get to work, to pick up your kids, get groceries, etc., then you do become acquainted with the usual time frame to accomplish these trips. If there are less route taxis on your route because they are serving tourists, then your daily routine and schedule will be up set.

And yes, the number of residents in any given area determines the number of route taxis to serve that area. As mentioned, the Negril population is around 5000 residents. When the influx of tourists can increase by 10,000 people in a given week - this DOES have an impact on the system. You can pretend this is not the case, but the facts do not bear this out. The word "truth", as I used it, can be interchangeable with the meaning of the word "fact".

The truth in this situation is that very few, if any, route taxi operators will hesitate to give you a ride and accept your money. But just because they will accept your money does not mean there is no impact on the route taxi system.

As Monk and Big Frank have both pointed out, the charter taxis can be very competitive in price and are always more convenient to use. They take you from point a to point b in a private ride. They stop where you want to stop. They go where you want them to go.

Yes, you can save some pocket change and perhaps buy an extra beer or two with the money you save taking a route taxi and that is your right. There is no law against it. But to think that there is no impact on the system only means you are ignoring the obvious reality. You are not a Jamaican who relies on this system, you are on vacation.