On the Subject of Taxis....

[rastagirl777]

Over the past three months I've heard at least a half a dozen stories of tourists being robbed when getting in the wrong car in Negril. On Tuesday I actually met a couple that it happened to.

Folks - when getting a taxi please be sure to get in a car with a RED PLATE. That red plate requires the driver to properly license and insure himself and his vehicle to carry passengers. This is a sizeable expense as well as a time consuming endeavor - these drivers have too much to lose should they decide to become a part-time thief.

After many discussions with residents here, I am retracting my original statement about "go ahead and use route taxis" on a regular basis. Too many tourists using this system does indeed impact Jamaicans going to and from work.

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.)
2. Make sure that the route printed on the side of the cab is the route that you are on - if on the cliffs, it should say "West End", if on the beach it should say "Beach" or "Green Island".

If you are new to Negril I highly recommend you charter a taxi - a red plated recommended driver. Get used to the surroundings, the lay of the land. I live here part time and I am not beholden to route taxis - for trips out to Half Moon Beach and even Long Bay at times I hire my driver to carry me. It doesn't make you less of a "newbie" or more "local" to take route taxis everywhere - its a matter of convenience and depending on how many are in your party its not that much more expensive to charter.

The couple I met were coming out of the bank when they were picked up by a white plated car. Make no mistake - they were watched. When coming from a bank or ATM do not get in a cab right away. I usually walk a block or two, maybe run some errands before I get into a RED PLATED route taxi to go home.

Stay safe.

[suzengrace]

Good advice RG...Didnt' hear about the taxi robberies-Thats awful...

[irieworld]

Good comments on safety and red plates. I already voiced my opinion on route taxis on previous threads, and it stays the same so I am not going to get into it again.

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. It is usually just me or sometimes me and a friend --either Jamaican or other traveler so I don't crowd a cab and have rarely ridden in cabs that fill to capacity. I understand the point of larger groups taking charter taxis--maybe that was more the point you were making.

[Rob]

Over the past three months I've heard at least a half a dozen stories of tourists being robbed when getting in the wrong car in Negril. On Tuesday I actually met a couple that it happened to.

Folks - when getting a taxi please be sure to get in a car with a RED PLATE. That red plate requires the driver to properly license and insure himself and his vehicle to carry passengers. This is a sizeable expense as well as a time consuming endeavor - these drivers have too much to lose should they decide to become a part-time thief.

After many discussions with residents here, I am retracting my original statement about "go ahead and use route taxis" on a regular basis. Too many tourists using this system does indeed impact Jamaicans going to and from work.

RG,

I am glad that you have retracted your previous comments in another thread about taxi rates. Living here, Lisa (Bnewb) and I both tried to explain the impact that visitors using route taxis has on the public transportation system in Negril. Based on your previous comments, being on vacation you obviously did not see the impact that visitors using route taxis can have on the residents of Negril. We live it and see it everyday and tried to explain the ramifications. I am glad that you have taken the time to ask around and find out that there are indeed issues that arise when tourists use a system that was not designed with them in mind. Lisa and I hope this does make others think before taking a route taxi just to save a buck.

While no route taxi will refuse your money since they make the same amount of money from each passenger, just because the driver will accept your money does not mean that there is no impact on the transportation needs of the residents of Negril and Jamaica.

And thanks for once again letting others know to always use a red plated taxi when traveling around Jamaica.

[Rob]

Good advice RG...Didnt' hear about the taxi robberies-Thats awful...

Suzen,

The robberies mentioned are when taking illegal transportation, not the legal red plated taxis that are recommended here. So, they are not "taxi robberies" but robberies that happen when visitors to the island do things that they should not be doing in the first place. I would classify this as the same thing as being thieved by a prostitute or getting robbed during a illegal drug deal or robbed when hitchhiking cross country.

If you do something that you shouldnt - and everyone here has been duly warned about using only red plated taxis, then if something bad happens, you only have one person to blame. Sometimes we do have to take responsibility for our own actions, and we can put ourselves in harm's way at times.

[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.

[Lola]

There is a style of communication to decline a ride without offense, but tourists won't know this. Some times of the day there may not be other passengers at all, between the work shifts.

Good suggestions on the banking/ATM situation.

[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]

There is a style of communication to decline a ride without offense, but tourists won't know this.

I think most every tourist knows the exact style of communication, all that needs to be said is "no thanks"...