r/Jamaica • u/jase10 • 1d ago

Travel Question about Uber drivers in Kingston

I was in the new kingston area for 4 days. Outside of the kingston uber drivers’ mumbling/grunting whenever I greeted them or said thanks for the ride, i was curious about why many of them asked me to sit in the front. Is this a normal thing in Kingston? If so, why? When im in mobay or negril this isnt a thing as i sit in the back in peace.

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u/ralts13 1d ago edited 1d ago

To run a taxi in jamaica You're required to have a public passenger license plate. I think it also costs more to get registered.

So most users are illegal cabs and drivers can be fined for running without.a cab license. Easiest way to identify an illegal Uber is back seat passengers.

Also there is the safety side. At nights otsbjust more dangerous to have someone behind u while driving.

Kgn has alot of ubers and the police frequently have checkpoints on major roads to catch illegal cabs.

Edit Almost forgot front seat has been the default for cabs for years. So even without thw legal issues front seat would be mote common.

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u/iamdutchy 1d ago

this is your answer OP

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u/FarCar55 1d ago

I'd ask them why.

This used to be more common when there was lots of media around Uber and the gvt not having an agreement on the legality of their operations.

At the time, some Uber drivers were caught by police and their vehicles impounded for operating as taxis illegally.

That should have been settled by now, although the most recent article on it I'm seeing is from June 2024, indicating that it will be resolved.

I haven't had a driver request sitting in the front seat in tje last 6 months, though. So I'd ask them why, if this happens again.