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

[suzengrace]

One thing i want to add...we all know that wearing a seat belt can save your life-as you know many people dont wear them well driving/riding in Jam (though your suppose to).I've ridden in many route taxis allover and many of them(most) do not have seat belts and even if they did you are so jammed-pack in the car theres no way you could use it...I'm talking a avg size car type with 6-7 people in the back(sitting on peoples laps) and 4 in the front with a baby....Just something to keep in mind...

I have nothing against taking route taxis -but if the taxi looks close to full,please be considerate and let the locals get in before you-they most likely are trying to get to work or home. And follow the advice about getting into taxis thats been provided already-some really good tips...

I always think its best to have a few numbers handy of some driver that you trust and feel comfortable driving with-lots of peeps on this board can give recs...Especially if going out for late night on the town..

I'm happy that the couple were not injured physically and they really have a great attitude about dealing with it afterward....Blessings to them..

[Hussyband]

It's worth pointing out again though... I broke nearly every rule in this situation.

1.). 2 guys up front
2.). A route I did not know
3.). Up a road that was making no sense with some pretty bs (expected) stories
4.). Not being aware of my surroundings
5.) having way too much bling or perceived bling on my person

I imagine many people who are long termed here have business with the route taxis. I stay max, 2 weeks at a time, and while this has been going on for a decade and a half... I do not know the system well enough.

We've gotten a driver, and are using him. Our difference in pricing has so far been nil. I would have been better off doing a charter every day, and saving the face I have been seeing as I go to sleep each night stick a knife in my wife's face,

[smith744]

to cover my back-side,
let me quote (in part) from the negril.com F.A.Q., Guideline section::::>>> "....In order to ensure that Negril.com message board remains an informative space to share experiences, views and good vibes about Negril and Jamaica in general, we have established the following rules as guidelines for good conduct. ..."

hopefully,
my post(s) is(are) kosher.

that said,,,,,,,,,,,,

....I'm talking a avg size car type with 6-7 people in the back(sitting on peoples laps) and 4 in the front with a baby....Just something to keep in mind....

Yep,,!!..
*that* could/does happen
on occasion

HOWEVER, in
my experiences, my observations, and my route-taxi riding,
what you described is NOT that common-place on the BeachRoad in Negril.

as i posted earlier (someplace?),
there's a law against too-many people in a taxi (i.e., as described)

On MANY occasions,
i've observed, seen, over-heard comments where driver WON'T do the jam-up thing-y in Negril, on the BeachRoad ---- for fear of getting caught and fined, etc.

In fact,
i can recall on more than a couple of occasions,
where the driver was anxious to GET OUT of Negril
(on the way to Lucea, GreenIsland, where-ever)
'cause the Negril police made a more assertive attempts/practice of fining drivers {sometimes}

Regarding seat-belt usage:::: Strange as it may seem,
the driver WILL and the passenger in the front, next to the window, with the seat belt WILL buckle-up.

the other passenger or passengerS in the front seat might not buckle up but the driver & window rider WILL.

Lately,
(i.e., when i was down there two-years ago)
on the BeachRoad, on the drive between Negril and Lucea, the drivers were refraining from piling in a lot of folks like they use-to.

Additionally,
2-years ago,
there were more and more regular cars being used as route-taxis ---- NOT as many of those hatch-back cars as in the pass. In fact, there was a LARGE influx of mini-vans being used as route taxis, as i mentioned in one of my old-old trip reports from 2-years ago.

anyhooooooooooo,
regarding the hatch-back mention ----- there was a time, when FREQUENTLY *they* would put passengers in the trunk/hatch-back area. But on my last few trips, that practice was becoming a no-no, not-done anymore, except under *special* occasions, circumstances, and for short distances.

Now,
with all that said,
in the rural areas
ALL bets are off that any of what i typed (above) is valid.

[suzengrace]

i have alot of respect for you husyyband-in telling your story and being so honest and humble about it....Life is all about learning,and no doubt many people on this board learned a lot from you sharing a horrible experience....I also really admire your ability to go on with your vacation (and life) and not let it be ruined by this horrible ordeal-I can imagine some people would be wanting to get on the first plane out of MBJ and never come back -much respect to you and your wife....

[suzengrace]

Good point Smith744...I dont travel to negril too much anymore-so wasnt aware the beach road drivers being so considerate in following the laws...Thats good to know..

[smith744]

It's worth pointing out again though... I broke nearly every rule in this situation.,

NO you did NOT..!!...

*THEY* '..broke..' the rule(s)..!!..

..dem criminals ... bandits .... pure-evil...

do NOT worry ya-selves

Etana, one of my favorite singers, has a song about '..retribution..'
...trus me ---- retribution WILL come *their* way

enjoy enjoy enjooooooooooooooy ya trip

[smith744]

...beach road drivers being $o con$iderate in following the law$...

lol
lol
lol
i like that euphomism:::>>> con$iderate
lol
lol

i've sat-in at Ja-traffic court
lol
lol
lol
it AIN'T pretty
lol
lol
lol

[smith744]

Good point Smith744...I dont travel to negril too much anymore-so wasnt aware the beach road drivers being so considerate in following the laws...Thats good to know..

you reminded me of one-more something::::::::

on that WestEnd (the best-end {{as i'm/we're frequently reminded}}) taxi-route, things can-go a likkle-likkle *different* sometimes, under some situations, at certain times, depending on circumstances, how dark it is, etc etc.

'cause parts of that road are more *residential* in nature than the BeachRoad, every-now-&-then you *might* see a slightly-slightly border-ing on almost illegal capacity.

*whew*
i hope i typed/said that properly
*whew*

gotta be careful

[suzengrace]

smith-your the best....

[Lola]

So helpful to read the info about taxis marked for routes outside of the local area. Although I haven't had rides in any, I have seen such vehicles in Negril. They caught my attention but at the time I couldn't put my finger on it. Now that this incident has happened I understand what my brain was trying to tell me: this is something I haven't learned about and take notice not to venture where I do not know.

On the topic of charters: there is a (red plate JTB) charter van driver by ValueMaster I have used many times to carry me back after I have completed my errands in town. Recently I wasn't feeling up to par so I had him pick me up and wait while I shopped at each location. I was amazed how much faster, easier and less-tiring it was to get through my list, which more than made up for the reasonable (but additional to my budget) cost.

I know it can get to feeling expensive for 1-2 people to use a charter driver but as has been noted earlier in this thread, what you 'save' in personal wear-and-tear really is worth it.