Quote Originally Posted by wrtiii View Post
I know that everyone likes a bargain, and likes to say "I can get that for less". But I would like to remind everyone that the US IRS - not an organization known for its generosity - allows US $.565/mile for business operation of a vehicle, which is intended to include fuel, depreciation, insurance, and normal wear including tires. So a 55 mile trip (the distance from MBJ to Negril) would be $31 US each way. If someone is coming from Negril to pick you up, their costs would be $62. This is not including any compensation for the driver. If I take a taxi from my place to the Syracuse airport, almost exactly the same distance, the fare is US $145.00.

Gas and, I'm sure, tires and parts are more expensive in Jamaica than in the US. So have a heart when you are bargaining for your rides, and when you are tipping your driver.
Interesting point, however it does not cost a driver $62 round trip. If it did, you would not see rates for $50 each way. Also, I drive as part of my job and am reimbursed mileage from my company. It is enough to cover my gas, tires, insurance, maintenance, and roughly half my car payment. And my vehicle is not as fuel efficient as my drivers. You think the Syracuse rates are high, check out Vegas sometime. Think the mob is still running the show there.......

On a side note, my driver is well compensated by me in a form of a tip. Maybe he can afford the $50 rides each way because of generous folks like myself. Who knows......