Right - thanks.
What was throwing me off was the idea that I shouldn't be using route taxis. It seems if a red plate stops for me, I just look at it that he wants my business, route cab or not. And if I want to ride further than the route posted on the side of the car, I ask before getting in & we agree on price. Period. I won't worry about the rest.

I'll leave it to those who feel tourists shouldn't use route taxis to come up with a solution, while still deferring to those passengers who are obviously local working people where possible - that's if by chance that a route taxi stops for me before a charter.

Thanks! Time to move on & start packing!