Route Taxi Fares

[CosmicMoose]

Also, I would recommend to tourists taking route taxis that you still confirm the fare before you get in. One time, the wife and I got into a route taxi (that already had other passengers in it) to go from Home Sweet Home to 3 Dives. I assumed I was going to pay the route fare but when we got to 3 Dives the driver said, "10 dollars". Rookie mistake.

I've have heard others say that you just hand the driver the route fare and get out of the car (which is what the locals do). However, it's probably best to avoid an argument and just confirm the fare before you get in the car.

I was told that if you discuss the fare ahead of time you are negotiating and are not longer getting the route fare. Rob/Lisa, want to confirm/deny this?

In Mike's case, it should be a route taxi fare as it was a shared ride imo. What's the proper way to handle what happened to Mike if it happens to someone else?

It may not help Mike, but it may help someone else! Thanks!

~Moose

[Mike_D]

I was told that if you discuss the fare ahead of time you are negotiating and are not longer getting the route fare.

Yup, I have heard this too. But it might not hurt to confirm with driver, "$130J, right?", before you get in. Curious to hear how others would handle that situation.


This incident happened on our first trip Negril. Since then, I mostly charter out of convenience. This past July, I needed to go to the Scotia bank from Sea Grape villas. I caught a route taxi with passengers going the wrong way. I offered the driver $1000J to go to Scotia, wait for me and then take me back to the Villas. The driver accepted and I got in the front seat as he headed toward Out of Town Pastry to drop off his passengers. After that, he turned around toward the bank and didn't pick up any other passengers as I had him chartered for the rest of the trip.

[Rob]

I was told that if you discuss the fare ahead of time you are negotiating and are not longer getting the route fare. Rob/Lisa, want to confirm/deny this? Up

In Mike's case, it should be a route taxi fare as it was a shared ride imo. What's the proper way to handle what happened to Mike if it happens to someone else?

It may not help Mike, but it may help someone else! Thanks!

~Moose

If you discuss the fare ahead of time, then by definition you are negotiating.

Asking "route taxi?" is perfect because there is no mention of money, simply what kind of taxi the driver intends to be in this situation.

As for Mike's situation, he could have argued his case and even waited for the police to show up. The law would be on his side. The driver would have to had a "Charter" sign in the front window.

But being on vacation, how much is your valued vacation time worth?

As I have stated more times than I am able to remember, the local route taxi system was designed for locals and not with visitors in mind.

This is exactly the reason that the Tourism Transport Associations (JUTA, JCal, Maxi, etc.) were created in the first place.

You are on vacation. Enjoy all of it and don't sweat the small stuff. Please feel free to take any of the licensed and legal drivers in our Transport section. We know them all personally.

Most if not all offer free cellphone use so you can call them from wherever you are and let them know where you want to go. If they are unavailable, ask if they can get a driver for you.

As a side note, with the new transport regulations coming up, if you are caught in an illegal taxi, you will be guilty of the crime of aiding and abetting the illegal driver.

Always use legal taxis.

[captaind]

If you discuss the fare ahead of time, then by definition you are negotiating.

Asking "route taxi?" is perfect because there is no mention of money, simply what kind of taxi the driver intends to be in this situation.

As for Mike's situation, he could have argued his case and even waited for the police to show up. The law would be on his side. The driver would have to had a "Charter" sign in the front window.

But being on vacation, how much is your valued vacation time worth?

As I have stated more times than I am able to remember, the local route taxi system was designed for locals and not with visitors in mind.

This is exactly the reason that the Tourism Transport Associations (JUTA, JCal, Maxi, etc.) were created in the first place.

You are on vacation. Enjoy all of it and don't sweat the small stuff. Please feel free to take any of the licensed and legal drivers in our Transport section. We know them all personally.

Most if not all offer free cellphone use so you can call them from wherever you are and let them know where you want to go. If they are unavailable, ask if they can get a driver for you.

As a side note, with the new transport regulations coming up, if you are caught in an illegal taxi, you will be guilty of the crime of aiding and abetting the illegal driver.

Always use legal taxis.

Any questions folks?

Cap