Assaulted by a cab driver?

[Kevin, PA]

Now I have to throw my 2 cents in......

I don't think anyone is trying to hide information. I agree that this bad experience was not associated in any way with the hotel that the review was about. This incident could have happened to anyone staying at any hotel that decides to leave the hotel property. TA has forums and there are other siteswhere this information could be posted just as it is here that would allow others to seek clarification so everyone is as informed as possible. I don't believe this incident should reflect on the hotel and apparently neither did the reviewer since the hotel was given 4 stars.

[TiCtOc]

TA could have placed the review under another section maybe?
I am VERY pleased this thread has stayed, living so far away I rely on websites such as this to get the real deal. the truth to make decisions not only for myself but for my family.
Life is not perfect and the fact this thread has stayed has spoken volumes to me that if there is something we should know, we will.That is good enough for me.This had definately NOT been swept under the carpet here and I am pleased to see reports of incidents will be noted and we can talk about it.Hurts me to think a boardie went and got in trouble.
BOARDIE DOWN! BUT when we care to share we can inform others.There is not a whole heap any of us can do really to stop incidents happening anywhere , what will happen will happen.Hopefully the victime got the reg plate or recognise the driver or something.I always forget everyones name but I never forget a face, I have a photographic memory too so one glance at the reg plate on the way in.I will remember. I wish people would follow up the reports of incidents it is very rare that they do so we never find out if police were called, who was at fault, what really happened, if charges were brought and such.Lawd help any taxi driver who try to rough me up! especially when I know I have nothing of value on me

[MissBlue]

agreed, Weathermon. it should have been a forum post - not part of a hotel review. the whole point of it was to inform people - not only those looking up information on one property, but the whole traveling public.

Many of us (like myself) don't ever read reviews of hotels on T.A., but loads of people around the world DO read the forum posts and discussions sharing general info about the destination itself - and that is where that post belonged.

[Melody]

If I'm not mistaken, not only was the original thread closed (that followed up the victim's Coco review) but I can't find it on the TA forum at all. I know I'm tired, but I looked for it 2 or 3 times and couldn't find it. Has it been removed? After it was closed, a new thread was started recommending using private taxis rather than route taxis because (the poster claimed) that there were two assaults this year involving route taxis. After 20 posts, the thread was closed and the OP's post was removed at the author's request. I'm wondering if he maybe realized he jumped the gun assuming "route taxis". Even the copy posted here of the private message from one of the recent victims indicated "red plate", not "route taxi".

It would be helpful for travellers to have the plate/route question confirmed, but we may never know, maybe the victims themselves are not 100% clear about it.

[Melody]

Wow, I dont see the 2nd thread this morning. Seems that everything about this assault is wiped off TA.

[Ti2m]

I find it disturbing that TA would wipe out all information concerning this incident unless they found it suspect. I agree it did not belong in a CocoLaPalm review but information like this should not be wiped clean from a TA forum. This discussion could save a life.

We’ve never had a problem with taxis in Negril although I have had some pretty aggressive drivers stop and insist they were taxi drivers and those red plates mean nothing. I just say no thank you and I keep moving. Maybe I should rent a phone and keep the #'s of a few drivers in it. That way when we are out we can give them a call for pick up.

For me ...Bnewb said it best ..."The pennies you're going to save by hopping into route cabs or strange vehicles...is simply not worth the risk."

[gerryg123]

I am wondering just how legit the red plates are compared to the white plates .... I've had some nut-jobs with both, but overall I would rate the cab service in Negril an A-minus or B-plus .... They're usually there when you need 'em, they're inexpensive, and they're often friendly and informative -- not a bad deal.

[Rob]

Gerry,

The color of the license plates determines what type of transportation class the vehicle is in. White plates are private passenger vehicles - just as the car you drive at home is a private passenger vehicle. It is not licensed or insured to carry paying passengers. Your car you drive everyday at home in not a taxi. There is no white plated vehicles in Jamaica that are legal taxis.

Red license plates are public passenger vehicles, meaning they are taxis. They are the ONLY LEGAL AND LEGIT TAXIS - all other vehicles that are acting as a taxi are illegal taxis.

[Flipadelphia26]

Hey Rob,

Just curious. Have you heard any local gossip about this? I'd think word travels fast around town. Especially when it comes to alleged crimes against tourists. Seeing as tourism is such a huge part of the local and national economy. I would think a majority of locals look down on those who make it less appealing for tourists to visit.

[Rob]

Flip,

Of course we hear the local gossip. The Negril rumor mill is always active! But there is never any point to post these rumors as they mean nothing. Facts are facts, rumors are not.

The local economy is tourism based here in Negril, so yes, the local residents do take a serious look at those who try and hurt their interests as anyone would. And contrary to what some seem to think, the police are quite active in trying to apprehend those who do harm.