Route Taxi Fares

[Big_frank]

I don't understand the Route Taxi fascination although I sometimes take them.
For two people; it's now going to cost several hundred dollars (maybe 500 with a small tip to get from the beach to the cliffs-two rides).
I have never had to pay more than 5 or 6 dollars U.S. for a daytime charter from the beach to the Seastar Lane, plus a tip of course.
Charters are private rides. You're not picking up other passengers and holding a student on your lap during school times.
Taxis in Negril are a total bargain compared to what you would pay in North America.
In my hometown a ride from say Margaritaville to Seastar Lane would cost close to 20 dollars.

[Mike_D]

I don't understand the Route Taxi fascination although I sometimes take them.
For two people; it's now going to cost several hundred dollars (maybe 500 with a small tip to get from the beach to the cliffs-two rides).
I have never had to pay more than 5 or 6 dollars U.S. for a daytime charter from the beach to the Seastar Lane, plus a tip of course.
Charters are private rides. You're not picking up other passengers and holding a student on your lap during school times.
Taxis in Negril are a total bargain compared to what you would pay in North America.
In my hometown a ride from say Margaritaville to Seastar Lane would cost close to 20 dollars.

I agree with you, in premise, but I sometimes have to bargain hard for a $500 - $600J taxi ride from the cliffs to the beach (for my wife and I). Usually, I'll offer $500J upfront, and half the time I'll get a response like, "Nooo - that's a ten dollar ride!". If I don't feel like waiting for another taxi, I'll bargain a little more and usually end up paying $800J. Otherwise, I'll wait for the next one hopefully get the fare I want.

I find that it's the guys driving the beaters that usually accept the $500J offer (or counter-offer $600). The guys driving the shiny new vans always want to gouge tourists as much as they can. They probably make most of their money driving guests back to the AI's after Rick's closes.

[Bnewb]

I agree with you, in premise, but I sometimes have to bargain hard for a $500 - $600J taxi ride from the cliffs to the beach (for my wife and I). Usually, I'll offer $500J upfront, and half the time I'll get a response like, "Nooo - that's a ten dollar ride!". If I don't feel like waiting for another taxi, I'll bargain a little more and usually end up paying $800J. Otherwise, I'll wait for the next one hopefully get the fare I want.

I find that it's the guys driving the beaters that usually accept the $500J offer (or counter-offer $600). The guys driving the shiny new vans always want to gouge tourists as much as they can. They probably make most of their money driving guests back to the AI's after Rick's closes.

In fairness to the taxi drivers at that time....chartering a taxi for 500j (approx $5us) for two people was only 100j (approx $1us) more than a regular route taxi price for two people.
By offering a chartered ride the taxi driver is giving up his route pick ups & losing additional income these pick ups would provide...thus the reason for charging more for a chartered/private ride.
The 500J for two people would not even come close to being sufficient for that route....especially with recent rate increases.
As of today from the beach to the cliffs or cliffs to the beach...for a chartered/private ride for two people...$10us or 1000j (this would be including a tip) will easily get you there.

Also just a reminder....use red plated vehicles as they are the only vehicles licensed and insured to carry paying passengers.

[Mike_D]

In fairness to the taxi drivers at that time....chartering a taxi for 500j (approx $5us) for two people was only 100j (approx $1us) more than a regular route taxi price for two people.
By offering a chartered ride the taxi driver is giving up his route pick ups & losing additional income these pick ups would provide...thus the reason for charging more for a chartered/private ride.
The 500J for two people would not even come close to being sufficient for that route....especially with recent rate increases.
As of today from the beach to the cliffs or cliffs to the beach...for a chartered/private ride for two people...$10us or 1000j (this would be including a tip) will easily get you there.

Also just a reminder....use red plated vehicles as they are the only vehicles licensed and insured to carry paying passengers.

I totally agree with you, Lisa. Which is why I say that I typically pay $800 on average + tip for a trip from the cliffs to the beach (or vice versa). In the evening it would be around $1500-$2000. On the other hand, I find that the taxi driver loafing on the side of the beach road will happily accept $600 for the same trip because otherwise he would be earning $0. However, this is the exception not the rule, which is why I was surprised that Big Frank said that he never paid more that 5 or 6 bucks.

I should clarify, that I'm speaking mostly about my experiences from October 2012 and before. On our last trip, this past June, everybody from our regular airport transfer to the random charter taxi was asking for more money since the price of gas had gone up so much.

[Melody]

Good point, Big_frank. It does make a difference for solo travelers though. Especially those on a tight budget like myself. Route taxis are great for staying on route, for one person, like heading to Shamrock or downtown and back from say Margaritaville area. Sometimes it's great to have a ride, especially when carrying bags. A hotel charter can charge $10 return for that ride. Same cost for one or two people. I'd be a lot less mobile without route taxis.

[Big_frank]

Yes Melody; different if you're on your own. Good Point!

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

Morning,

When I rode from the taxi park in Negril up the Beach Road to the Catholic Church the taxi driver told me that cost is 120 JMD and that's the price up to Beaches Hotel - if you go further and up to the RIU's you would pay 130 JMD.

St. Anthony's Kitchen

[Olivia]

Thank you St. Anthony's Kitchen. That first hand information of pricing on the beach road confirms my initial guess of how the two sets of beach road pricing would work.

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

Thank you St. Anthony's Kitchen. That first hand information of pricing on the beach road confirms my initial guess of how the two sets of beach road pricing would work.

You're most welcome Olivia! And I just did it again the last two days.... rode from the taxi park in Negril up to the Catholic Church on beach Road..... price was still the same, ie $120 JMD.

[sunray]

Rob, you make some valid points and observations about the route taxi system. I won't feel bad using this service from time to time, it's just not always practical to try to charter a taxi to go a mile up the beach. Not to mention having to go through the hassle of negotiating fares, especially when you meet a driver that thinks you are a little on the "fresh" side.
I've often thought how convenient it would be to have an intra-Negril bus service (tourist and/or public) for all the short hops within Negril. Bet that would be easier said than done for a whole lot of reasons. Any thoughts on the chances of that?