On the Subject of 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...

[Marko]

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...

mi hear you..........
if there are laws and guidelines setup by JUTA that are in place.......for drivers and the fares
they should be published and available for all to see.........in English, Spanish, German, Italian, etc etc............
heresay stuff and confusing the tourists, like in this thread, isn't going to help tourism in Jamaica..........

personally mi stand by the side of the road and wait for a red plate taxi to stop........
no stop.......no ride for this guy......
red plate stops........mi got a ride........sounds simple to mi

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Rob]

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...

Brasi,

There are national id cards, but with a village as small as Negril (about 5000 residents), there is no need for anything as complicated as adding a ID check upon entering. Everyone in a route taxi is require to pay the same rate. The current route taxi fare is ja$100. If you pay $150j, then that is a nice tip for the driver. And if a driver is beeping at you, chances are they are a charter taxi, not a route.