Quote Originally Posted by BrenJaLee View Post
Yes, but my "guess" is the tourist industry in Jamaica wasn't quite as thriving then as it is now that needed to be taken into consideration. My "guess" is there were not as many tourists trying to get around to visit numerous locations in a town then as there are now. Lots of things are used differently from how they were originally intended (especially after 50 years) because times change.
The tourism industry has been growing since it started in the 1890's. The first tourist association was formed in 1910 (Jamaica Tourist Association). The first government agency was founded in 1922 (Jamaica Tourist Trade Development Board). In 1954, the government reorganized the Development Board and called it the JTB (Jamaica Tourist Board) that we know today. JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travelers Association) was formed shortly thereafter to serve the increasing transportation needs of the ever growing tourist industry.

The government has known since the 50's that the Jamaica Public Transportation would not be able to handle the various and growing needs of the tourists, thus the need for JUTA to exist. There are now other unions serving tourism needs in addition to JUTA (JCal and Maxi to name two) as the needs of the tourism industry grow. As a sidenote, the government defines a tourist as anyone staying at least 24 hours (overnight), but not more than a year.

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The Jamaica Tourist Board has given us this regarding Jamaica Public Transportation and advice for visitors to the island:

Public transportation in Jamaica is nothing short of an exciting adventure. In Kingston, the capital city, large air-conditioned luxury coaches ply popular routes, but outside those areas, vehicles are less comfortable and arrive with less regularity. Buses, minibuses and route taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of people on the island, but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist.


For travel between towns, minibuses are the way to go, and travel on a Jamaican minibus certainly makes for an interesting experience. Along the way, you will see – and hear – the real Jamaica. But prepare to compete with luggage of varying sizes and contents. On longer trips, passengers almost become a community; somehow the shared experience of being so close to a complete stranger may create an unspoken bond.


Each town in Jamaica has a designated bus park, and although the destination stands are rarely marked, fret not, conductors eager to begin their trip will find you. Keep your luggage close to you – as you would anywhere else in the world – and be sure to double-check with the driver on fares and destinations BEFORE you board.


Quite often "route taxis" – cars that drive a designated course and pick up and drop off passengers at will – are the cheapest and fastest way to get from place to place. All registered taxis in Jamaica are required by law to have red "PP" licence plates. You are advised not to board any taxi operating illegally. You needn’t worry about missing a taxi; there is usually no need to look hard for another. Just stick your hand out and wave – one will come to a screeching halt before you.

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The key points to take away from this are:

All registered taxis in Jamaica are required by law to have red "PP" licence plates. You are advised not to board any taxi operating illegally.

Be sure to double-check with the driver on fares and destinations BEFORE you board.

Buses, minibuses and route taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of people on the island, but are recommended only for the more intrepid tourist.

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Please remember that the route taxi was designed with the Jamaican populace in mind and is the primary means of transportation for the majority of the people on the island.