Regarding the route taxi incident that happened to Hussyband....

[Rob]

...It's not reasonable to expect them to to be worldly enough to realize the possible dangers. With all due respect......GET REAL....

Craig123,

With all due respect, I am getting VERY REAL. And thank you for proving my point. It is not reasonable to expect visitors to the island to have a complete understanding of the route taxi system and to realize the possible dangers. Which is exactly why I cannot in good conscience recommend that visitors take them when there is a system put in place, which was designed especially with them in mind, which is convenient, easy and safer to use.

By law the route taxi drivers are not allowed to discriminate, they must treat each potential fare equally, so they will stop for locals and tourists alike. No one can stop you from using them. That would be against the law.

But with cellphones being available practically for free (calls are around J$3 per minute -that is like 3 US cents per minute), and with plenty of safe, trustworthy and even JTB certified drivers phone numbers available, there is very very little, if any reason for visitors to use route taxis.

[NiceLady]

Craig123,

With all due respect, I am getting VERY REAL. And thank you for proving my point. It is not reasonable to expect visitors to the island to have a complete understanding of the route taxi system and to realize the possible dangers. Which is exactly why I cannot in good conscience recommend that visitors take them when there is a system put in place, which was designed especially with them in mind, which is convenient, easy and safer to use.

By law the route taxi drivers are not allowed to discriminate, they must treat each potential fare equally, so they will stop for locals and tourists alike. No one can stop you from using them. That would be against the law.

But with cellphones being available practically for free (calls are around J$3 per minute -that is like 3 US cents per minute), and with plenty of safe, trustworthy and even JTB certified drivers phone numbers available, there is very very little, if any reason for visitors to use route taxis.

In my experience when I have asked establishments for a taxi, we have gotten a white plate. Specifically at Rockhouse this has happened more than once.

[smith744]

In my experience when I have asked establishments for a taxi, we have gotten a white plate. Specifically at Rockhouse this has happened more than once.

you, your-post here, and a couple others in this thread with *similar* mention, regarding an *establishment* calling/getting/securing a taxi for you reminds me of something(s).

Me-personally,
have in the past, early-on, before i *learned* the route-taxi system, would frequently ask the *establishment*, and/or the security-person at the front-entrance to the property to *assist* me in securing a *drive* (i.e., a taxi).

*they* would go out to the roadside,
and flag-down a route-taxi for me
(with red-plates, and appropriate signage/decal on the side)

...then chat-up the driver (in-brief, to advise 'em not to screw-up)
and telling the driver where i wanted to go,
and
i'd hop in and
off we'd go.

no problems

on MANY occasions, i've seen/observed other tourist-types doing the same thing with their security-person(s) where they'd be staying. For me and others this has happened at restaurants & bars, as well.


kinda-sorta just like if I or you were to leave a hotel here in tourist-town WashingtonDC, and you go outside and the bell-hop flags down a taxi. Or when you arrive at the UnionStation train station (here), and same thing happens.... a bell-hop type person flags a taxi.

my point:::>>> there're options
always options, in Jamaica and/or Negril.

of course,
as here in good-ole'-USof/WashingtonDC,
there's the limo (aka *charter*) option

by the way,
me-personally,
have received this wonderful Jamaican-hospitality (i.e., securing a safe & legal taxi for the foreigner) not only in Negril, but in rural areas of the island.

For example,
on my last-trip,
when i went to visit my Ja-play dawta at her home, in suburban Westmoreland, she (and her mom) called a safe & legal route-taxi man to meet me, and pick-me-up at the cross-road, where I disembarked from a route-taxi from Lucea.

so,
an option/strategy *could-be* to have some somebody help ya secure a *drive* if needed.

[Kiknback]

there is very very little, if any reason for visitors to use route taxis.

Yes, there is a reason. Money. Route taxis are significantly cheaper than charter taxis.

One of my favorite parts about Negril is the ability to move around. Head to the beach, cliffs, back and forth on a whim. And really, that is not possible using charter taxis. Is it worth a $20-30 round trip taxi drive to head to Jenny's for a cheap breakfast? No. But a $6 round trip route taxi? Sure. A few trips back and forth and it adds up quick.

Yes, I get Robs point. Safety is an issue. But to say route taxis are dangerous and should never be used seems to be taking it too far, imo. That, to me, is the same logic that tells the all-inclusive folks to stick behind the walls of the resort for safety reasons. I just disagree. Things happen. Life includes a bit of a risk, and using a route taxi seems like a reasonable one, even after this relatively isolated incident.

This was definitely a valuable heads-up. And reminds me to leave the wedding rings at home, and certainly take trusted taxis for anything where I may be carrying valuables. Rob is correct, the safest way to get around is to always use approved, trusted taxis. But for everyday, getting around town, I will still most likely use a route taxi.

I'm not gonna let this coward ruin MY vacation either.

[captaind]

I'll say this again. Get a driver for the week including pickup and return to airport.

He'll give you a phone and be ready to pick you up and bring you back as long as you give him a heads up a bit ahead of time. He'll even stick around if you you're out partying late.

No nickel and dime payments.

That's how Linston does it. http://www.redplate-negril.com or 376-3652

Cost is negotiable depending on how much you need him.

[MoFromMonroe]

We had a guy from Kuyaba pick us up and he offered his services for the rest of our trip. We called him a few nights later and he came in a white plate car. We told him no. I don't remember the guys name.

[Craig123]

Craig123, With all due respect, I am getting VERY REAL.

Reality is that route taxi operators will offer rides to tourists and tourists will use them. Right or wrong, safe or dangerous....that's the reality. There is definitely value in using one or two trusted taxi operators. I understand that, but I also know without any doubt that many tourists will be totally oblivious.

[WisconsinWoody]

Reality is that route taxi operators will offer rides to tourists and tourists will use them. Right or wrong, safe or dangerous....that's the reality. There is definitely value in using one or two trusted taxi operators. I understand that, but I also know without any doubt that many tourists will be totally oblivious.

Isn't that the entire point of Rob's post. He is attempting to let people know about the different taxi services the best way he can. It's not like he can call all 2 million people that visit JA each year to let them know. And Rob is not saying that people can not use the route taxis, he is letting people know that the taxis with JTB tags are specifically meant for tourists and are the safest route to go with.

[Craig123]

Isn't that the entire point of Rob's post. He is attempting to let people know about the different taxi services the best way he can. It's not like he can call all 2 million people that visit JA each year to let them know. And Rob is not saying that people can not use the route taxis, he is letting people know that the taxis with JTB tags are specifically meant for tourists and are the safest route to go with.

I'm not attacking Rob here. Yes that's Rob's point of the post and I don't disagree with his intent. A drop in the bucket is better than a dry bucket. I personally have and will continue to use the route taxi system on occasion. Many others will also make that informed choice while many many many others are oblivious. That's all.

Respect.