In Jamaica, public transportation is more than just a way of getting around… it’s an experience. Like many areas worldwide, the system offers commuters the options of traveling via buses, whether government owned or private, or regular route taxis. There are also the robots.
Now, these are not to be confused with the novel autonomous robotaxis which are predicted to be the game-changing mobility solution.
On the Jamaican transportation scene, robots are those private passenger vehicles (white license plate) that are illegally operated as public carriage.
Admittedly, travelling publicly via buses have proven to be safer and cheaper. However, there is nothing like the convenience of hopping in a taxi to quickly go about your business.
Here are 7 things you need to know before taking a public taxi in Jamaica.
1. ‘One and Ready’ doesn’t actually mean the vehicle will be on its way once another passenger is ‘loaded’.
The popular catchphrase ‘One and Ready’ is used by taxi operators to impress those passengers who are in a hurry. However, rarely do we see the manifestation of this proclamation. In fact, it is usually followed by another misleading phrase- ‘…two and drive’. Do not be fooled or flattered. Often, my dear, you are not the ‘one’ that will satisfy the operator and send the taxi on its way.
2. Always have your change
One would think it’s the responsibility of the operator to have enough spare change to cater to their passengers, right? WRONG. The average fare for short distances in Jamaica is J$120. Presenting a taxi driver with a large bill (>/J$500) will earn you a ‘proper tracing’ or worse… an abrupt ‘let out pon roadside’.
3. Nuh shawt the fare
In the same breath… be sure to present the full fare for the transportation service you receive. Drivers will not fail to let you know how ‘tings and time hawd’ and how the ‘dutty tuff’* with the ever-increasing gas prices. Save yourself the embarrassment, pay the full fare.
4. Prepare fi Small Up Yuself
If the vehicle is licensed to carry 4 passengers, it will carry 7. I promise you.
5. The front seat is for the ‘thickaz’
The logic is simple. Drivers will cram as many passengers in the vehicle as possible. To facilitate this, they usually reserve the front seat for that commuter weighing the most. To them, it’s an unwritten rule that must be adhered to. In other instances, a two pon the front. 🤷 🤷 🤷
6. Do not eat patty inside the vehicle 🙅 🙅 🙅
The unrepentant liberty of patty crumbs to blow in the faces of other passengers, naculate up* the vehicle and get stuck between every crease and crevice has rendered it a banned meal item when travelling publicly.
7. Don’t ever tell the driver to slow down
Let’s just say, it would be better for you to say, ‘One stop, driver’ and make you exist peacefully… either way, you’re getting out.
*dutty tuff- times are hard
*naculate -to litter or make nasty. Emerging from the English word inoculate which means to introduce (an infective agent) into an organism.
Walk Good.
