Route Taxi Pricing

[Hussyband]

The first time I used a route taxi was maybe 8-10 years ago... Had no clue. Just got in the taxi, and tried to give the driver $10... A very nice lady in the back seat taught me about the pricing for a route taxi, and an argument/conversation ensued in patois between her and the driver. All these trips later, and I am still never quite sure which ones are the route taxis .

[captaind]

The first time I used a route taxi was maybe 8-10 years ago... Had no clue. Just got in the taxi, and tried to give the driver $10... A very nice lady in the back seat taught me about the pricing for a route taxi, and an argument/conversation ensued in patois between her and the driver. All these trips later, and I am still never quite sure which ones are the route taxis .

1. Red Plate
2. His route is on the door of the cab i.e. west end, beach, Negril to Green Island etc
3. If he picks up up outside his route it is automatically a charter. He's supposed to put a charter sign in his window.

The route cab system is the heart of Jamaican transportation. There is virtually no where you can't get to in route cab.

IMHO. As a visitor I always paid more than the actual fare but do it quietly. Now it costs a lot more

[Stacey]

This is something I've been curious about too....I usually walk everywhere - mostly because I want to, but sometimes simply because I am clueless what price I should be charged and therefore it's a sure thing I will get taken advantage of. Let me be more specific....Say I want a route taxi from like beach park to Canoe? What price should I accept or turn away,etc...? Thanks!

[Hussyband]

I kind of tend to pay what I am comfortable with. For mike to run me for tensing to the roundabout for instance, I generally give him 10-20 dollars... It's more than I should pay, but in the long run it helps him out ... So /shrug. I will negotiate (well, I make my wife do it) with the more agressive ones.

[booger]

I have seen a lot of back and forth regarding taxis so I figured I would throw out there some of my experiences for everyone to dissect and throw in their two cents about what I could have or should have done. Not that I really care as I have zero regret about any of my transactions and didn't feel like I burned anyone or was burned myself. All examples involve my wonderful wife and myself, so factor two people into the equation.

Catcha to Seasplash- Route Taxi $500J. It is two routes and two routes times two people is $400J. And I threw in an extra $100J for not making me get out and switch taxis at the roundabout. This is what I offer up front and have yet to have anyone ever tell me no. You can replace Seasplash with any other hotel on 7 mile as I have been dropped all over the beach. I also tell the driver to pick up other passengers along the way to ensure that it remains a route taxi as well as to make it available to others as it should be. Charter taxi I pay $1000J for the same trip and I do so because it is private along the way and also for the fact that if I would charter the same taxi back home it would be double the price. And again I have never been told no. I also usually tip on top of the negotiated price if the driver is chill and provides a nice ride. I have added $100J-$500J to the route taxi ride depending on the driver. If he is hauling a$$ I make him pull over and let me out if he doesn't agree to slow the heck down. This has only happened once in probably 50+ route taxi rides. Giving a little extra goes a long way.

Route taxi driver to Red Ground from Catcha to eat some jerk pork. Offered up $500J and received the "No Problem Mon". Pick me up after I realize that I am over an hour early and get me the heck outta there and take me to the beach, $1000J.

At night is a different story. You take my drunk a$$ home after a good night of partying anywhere along the West End and I am giving you $1000J. Last thing I want to do is reflect back on an unfavorable incident and wonder why I decided to skimp in this area. And I stay on the West End, so the ride could be 1 click to 3-4 clicks. Usually it's the owner of the bar taking us back which provides additional comfort. Not red plate, but with their reputation and livelihood on the line it actually gives me more comfort than an unknown red plate driver. Not insured but assured for my peace of mind.

Catcha to a private residence deep in the West End, wait for us for 1/2 hour and than deposit us at Jus Natural. Pick us up an hour later and than take us to Banmark and than back to Catcha. $2000J including tip.

Take us to Eddie's Debar for a few hours, hang out and I'll buy you a few beers. Take us to MiYard for the much needed egg and cheese sandwich and hang out for about an hour. Handle any hassle that might present itself along the way and than take us back to Catcha. Total about 4 hours. $3000J including tip

The one thing that I did this last trip that I hadn't done in the past was use a regular after sunset driver. And let me tell you, I enjoyed the hell out of it and the peace of mind that was afforded by their company. Going forward I will continue to do it unless I am with a crowd. If you need a good West End driver let me know.

[poolguywindsor]

Depending how far the route I usually pay 150 to 200 as well, and I have my night guy and give him more because its worth it.

[Smokin Kevan]

booger, please share your trusted, after dark driver, in a message or in this thread...

Thanks for cluing us on the rates you offered!

Happy Travels..

SKB

BBB

[Mike_D]

My experience has been similar to Booger's, for me and my wife. Sometimes, I forget to check the door to see if it's a route taxi (usually after a day of enjoying libations on the beach) and I'll offer the driver $500 from the beach to the West End (or vice versa). Sometimes they accept and sometimes they counter offer for $600 to $1000. I usually just accept a counter offer.

One time I had a route taxi driver, with 2 other passengers in the car, tell me it would be $10 US from Home Sweet Home on the West End to 3 Dives. I told him to keep driving.