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.