no Smith is not the average tourist. Stays longer than a few weeks. so Smith744 have a great trip. s-h-i-t happens everywhere. time to shut this down if need be.
no Smith is not the average tourist. Stays longer than a few weeks. so Smith744 have a great trip. s-h-i-t happens everywhere. time to shut this down if need be.
Last edited by Angel; 11-16-2013 at 03:10 AM.
Chiming in.....we use a driver exclusively on every trip. I won't mention his name as he is not a board sponsor, but he is close friends with the security guys at our hotel. I pay him very well for our week-long trips, and I also buy him beers and food at various places where we stop. I wouldn't think of doing all the moving around that we do without him. Only downside to his service is he likes to go to bed early and lives in Green Island. This probably explains why I am up at 6am every morning walking the beach and in bed by 9pm looking forward to doing it again the next day. If you can figure it out financially, get yourself a driver that you can count on and treat them right. You'll be totally safe!!!
M&M
I think what Rob has said about Route Taxis and explaining their real purpose is very wise. I'm sorry too for what happened, although I don't know these people or many on here. I have taken a route taxi, even by myself for very short distances, and only get into a car with the one driver. If I do this, it is when I do not carry a purse .. I wear no jewellery in Negril unless I'm with my friends and being escorted and if I do any shopping, for example, Times Square etc., I carry the black shopping bags and put the store bag with the goods inside it.
The JAs plan very well ahead before they go out, and we should too.
I'm not trying to point out they did anything wrong as they are on vacation and contributing to the economy by purchasing goods and patronizing the eating places.
If we do use Route Taxis from time to time, and they are cheaper, then maybe split the trip up by shopping and using the tourist cabs .. unload your purchases and take your Route Taxi to go and eat, whilst you have put your rings and any other important things in your safe.
I have worn a necklace before when going out in the day, cause I wanted it with my outfit, so I just turned the stone around to the back tucked in while I was walking or riding, so it looked like a basic silver chain .. then when I got to my destination, I turned it around.
Good luck everyone.
So sorry to hear something bad happened....I'll have to go dig up that thread for details.
I'm a "Cheap Charlie" and use route taxis and route buses in JA and can't see steering tourist away from using them.....rather educate them on how to use them. My last trip from MBJ to Negril was via route taxis and shortly after Smith744(?) posted about the same thing. They are a cheap transport solution for "Cheap Charlies" and in my opinion a very good way to explore the culture/meet the people outside of the tourist areas. With that said I would have my own mother use Clives or another well spoken charter taxi service liked by many on this forum.
Just wondering....let's say it's 4am and a tourist is leaving Miyard back to their hotel or 9 am and they need a ride to the cambio...or whatever silly @ss ride from point A to point B in Negril....should they have to call around to charter cabs (approved by this forum) instead of using the route taxi system? Should Blue Mountain tourists have to pay $50 each time they want to go down to Kingston instead of taking the route 67 bus for $5-$6?
2 cents from a cheap Charlie
Mostly I am the cheapest of Charlies, as most of the time I just walk, too cheap to even use a route taxi!
Trip #59 most of February
So....Forest Charlie Gump you use my logic that a ride from the beach to the cliffs=the cost of two beers and why ride when you can drink beer for the same price?Originally Posted by poolguywindsor
BTW, I mostly lurk here....your trip reports kick @ss!
Rob~ Are any of the route taxis that do a regular run along beach road approved by the JTB? I"m a little unclear on what I"m to do if I"m staying at someplace on the beach and want a quick ride down the beach road, I usually start to walk wherever I want to go but….. I know in the past a route ride can turn into a charter ride(if set a charter price upfront) but that doesn't mean its an approved JTB taxi. I understand calling an approved driver for a longer ride but are you suggesting to call from an approved list even its from the beach road?
Not to get off topic but I also want to thank you at this time looking out for us and for providing such a great place for information.
Same here. 10 bucks is 10 bucks.
Shell,Rob~ Are any of the route taxis that do a regular run along beach road approved by the JTB? I"m a little unclear on what I"m to do if I"m staying at someplace on the beach and want a quick ride down the beach road, I usually start to walk wherever I want to go but….
Not to get off topic but I also want to thank you at this time looking out for us and for providing such a great place for information.
Route taxis are licensed and insured to carry paying passengers, thus the red license plate, but they are not approved by the JTB, the Jamaica Tourist Board. That is because they were created to handle the transportation needs of the local populace, not visitors to the island.
The system that was designed especially for visitors to Jamaica are the various unions and associations such as JUTA, JCal, Maxi and now the smaller associations being formed in nearly every parish. They are the only vehicles and drivers who have gone through the extra JTB training, inspections and have been certified by the JTB. Each of these vehicles will have a JTB sticker on their windshield and also have a red license plate to indicate that they are legally insured and licensed to carry paying passengers as well.
At virtually every establishment on the beach (and the cliffs for that matter) you will find these drivers parked out front or possibly hanging out inside the establishment. They are ready, willing and able to take you on a short run down the beach as well as longer trips. They are not route taxis and are not legally allowed to operate a route, that is why you find them parked in front of the establishments.
Just as you would with the route ride that you mentioned that you have chartered in the past, you charter this JTB approved driver to take you on that run. They will probably offer you their business card should you need their services at a later date. This is also a great way to obtain a set of numbers of drivers for those late night outings. You would be able to call them to run you back to the hotel when the shows are over.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Thanks Rob! You know..I've seen the cars and drivers you mentioned parked outside of restaurants etc, but I always assumed they were the freelance uninsured drivers that I've always avoided. Learn something new all the time on here! I am a little sad that I no longer will hop in a route taxi as freely as I use to, enjoyed the experience.
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