Beware of the Taxi(not)/Bus-service at STT Airport

I got into STT last Wednesday at minutes past 3.00 pm but only had my luggage by 4.00 PM. Tried to take a taxi but they just squash as many people as will fit into one of the buses. I did mention to the taxi-driver that the ferry will not wait for anybody. I wanted to catch the 4.30 from Tortola Wharf to West End. The taxi driver insisted that there was no ferry from Tortola Wharf only the 5.00 PM from Red Hook. By now it was 4.15 PM since he was still fitting more people on his bus. Only through the assistance of a lady working at the airport and catching a ride did I get him to stop at Tortola Wharf and Smith Ferry was still there. There was no way with the afternoon traffic that he would have been able to get me to Red Hook for 5.00 PM. Not sure whether he was just looking for a larger fare with trying to take me to Red Hook or what his reasoning was. My daughter tried to contact Kevin for me but only got some ladies voice-mail at the number I had. I am very fortunate not to have been stuck on St. Thomas and paying about $ 200.00 for a Hotel-room.

Sorry for your experience, sounds like everything worked out well in the end though. I've never heard it called Tortola Wharf, maybe that was part of the problem, or maybe that's a common term and I just haven't heard it before? I think it's usually referred to just as Charlotte Amalie ferry or Red Hook ferry?

When catching a cab from STT, all we've really ever seen is large passenger vans and you are right, they do cram them in and it's usually multiple stops. Unless you are meeting a particular cab driver, it seems the best thing is to talk to one of the attendants that is there at the cab stand. In my experience, they usually do a fairly good job in that controlled chaos to bundle passengers that are going to the same or similar destinations.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

I am traveling solo in 2 weeks. Does anyone know if Kevin charges more for just one passenger?

He may charge you $15 unless he has a few other people to pick up at the same time. Still well worth the $$.

How to contact Kevin?

You can call or text him at 340-643-0025. His email is
kevintaxi101@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Just an FYI that Uschi is a LONG time resident of the BVI's. I believe she was returning home from a trip.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Been called Tortola Wharf since way back.

Here is another very reliable taxi driver we have used for many years on St Thomas - Basil 1-340-771-5759. If he is busy he will arrange for one of his friends to be there for you.

Goozee

Ahhh, thanks Rick and Hillside. I totally missed that. Made an assumption based on the fact that, as I read it, she seemed to be surprised by the fact that all cabs were vans.

Some lessons are learned over and over again, never assume!
[censored]- -ME (just me in this case!)

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />

Only, I made the exact same assumptions as you.

There are a few old postcards on eBay showing the "Tortola Wharf". This is where the Tortola sloops came in to deliver/pick up goods. Basically from about the vegetable stand on the waterfront up to the existing ferry dock. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Photo-At-Tortoll...=item43d4dcf088

Kevin does not check email often. He has been very effective with text messages.

Thanks Rick I have years of experience with the "Bus-service" at the airport. You cannot get a taxi=driver because they are loosing their slot if they take one person to Tortola Wharf which is only a 10 minute ride ($ 15.00 fare). That is why I put this warning out. If I would not have been in my best westindian "RUDE" and having that local ladies assistance I would have been stuck on St. Thomas and paid at least $ 200 for a hotel-room. I had e-mailed my daughter from Brazil and she tried to get Kevin but only got some voice-mail, I was lucky to make it - so if you have enough time to catch a 4.30 ferry - insist on going to Tortola Wharve (and the 4.15 to Road Town was still loading - which would have been still good enough for me - EXCUSE ME - BUS-DRIVER THERE IS NO FERRY TO TORTOLA!!!!!

In the 25 years since we have been visiting the BVI and USVI, we have seen the vehicles "taxiing" folks from the airport grow from sedans to now 12-14 passenger vans! The "cab managers" do a good job of relegating folks to get
those for the same location in the same vans, BUT if you are new to this, do not get in a large van and assume that the driver is leaving soon...not until he fills his seats! The smaller the van, the better your chance of moving fast. And lately, I have not seen regular sedan size cabs there.

Just used Kevin 2x in the past 10 days. If I am alone I give him $20. He handles my luggage, meets me (have used him 5+ times) and actually calls the ferries from the cab to find out when the <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> next one leaves. He is absolutely reliable (either he or his dad will meet you) and is totally responsive either by text or phone. I usually try all 3 modes of communication and get a prompt response from one of them. Wonderful way to avoid the crazies at STT airport. BTW for anyone travelling now, the lines at C&I as well as the line to put your luggage on the belt were absolutely horrendous and I did not purposely travel on a weekend. They do not have either global entry or TSA precheck there and I believe I spent over an hour or more on lines. Also, for those flying on the afternoon flight on United from STT to EWR, be aware the counter does not open till about 12 30 and by then the line is out onto the pavement. Better if you are first or premier!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I've had good luck with "Stanley" (Love Cab) at (340)473-6344. He has never let me down. Just call him before boarding the airplane and let him know your flight and arrival time. He will meet you at baggage claim and take you directly to the next ferry.

I hope the United counter opens earlier than that. we are on the 1pm flight to IAD. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Re the United counter--depends on the day of the week and how many flights they have out as to when they open. For the days they have the one EWR flight it is 12 30. They said they try (ha ha) to open 3 hrs before the flight time.

Pre print your boarding pass and do carry on, otherwise you are at their mercy. Grab an extra customs card at the ferry dock when leaving Tortola.