STT Taxi

BTW I posted a week or so ago about trying to raise Kevin for his taxi for my trip this coming Thursday. Thanks to some help from this forum, I did and proceeded to book him. However to alert you he is now charging $65 for the ride from the ferry to the airport. In past years (just about a year ago) I was paying $20. He said the change was due to some strict regulations being imposed by the airport management. If there is anyone arriving on Thursday, 18 August around 12 30 I would be glad to share Kevin's taxi with with them. If not, I will continue to swallow the fare increase because of his dependability and not having to deal with the crazy scene at the airport!!

The Port Authority imposed a fee that he has to pay, hence the increase.

The Port Authority has a contract with a Taxi association that has exclusive rights to run the airport pickups - you will see the chalk board outside on the wall listing the taxis waiting to be in line to even come into the baggage lot to load in order , if you notice the smaller lot outside the ticket gates on the left it is filled with taxis waiting their turn to get a fare- often waiting for hours.
A non member of that Association now has to pay a fee to do pre-arranged pickups - that is what Kevin and others are being charged now.
If you think the system is crazy now only imagine what it would look like if any STT taxi could park anywhere and wait for a fare instead of the [semi organized] situation that is being run pretty efficiently overall - and the fares are regulated not negotiated which would easily be the case if wide open competition was the norm - it sounds like a free market taxi would benefit the consumer but the chaos it would create is surely a non benefit in reality.
The system is actually a grand improvement and pretty well managed.
Taxis like Kevin, who is a good friend of mine for years, are allowed to make prior arrangements and with the fee imposed somewhat avoid the wrath of the taxis that may having been waiting hours for their place in line.

What do the taxi's that are part of the taxi arrangement kick back to the taxi association? Why can't fares be set on the island? I hate the vans being packed to the gills, sitting in a van for many minutes with crappy A/C on. It is a terrible system, thus many people trying to find a way around the system. I would rather have chaos and do what I want rather then being herded around.

I'm sure the taxi association would love Uber <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Airports all over the world do this, and no one should be surprised.

If you want the cheapest fare, quickest seat, keep in mind that the cheap fare and quick seat doesn't mean you are going anywhere faster than anyone else. Stand in line with everyone else who wants ( or think they want) the same thing you want.

If you want reserved transportation, a private vehicle and driver waiting specifically for YOU, special attention to your ferry needs, a driver who has friends in other places and a few cards up his sleeve to smooth your way over some rough places, then, OF COURSE you are going to pay a premium for that service. You are not paying for " cab fare" you are paying for Limo service.

Well, if you really want a way around the system, you can haul all of your stuff to the bus stop, and for a couple of bucks end up at the same place.

Unfortunately, the bus doesn't hit the airport as much as it's supposed to, so you can alternately haul all of your stuff to the main road, where it's GOT to stop.

I've done that a few times, and on two occasions locals have offered me a ride, taking pity on my sweaty soul. But that's when I was traveling alone, and had all the time in the world.

I have no idea what the "kick back?' is. The fares are set and posted! Not all vans have packed to the gills or crappy A/C - it may be a "terrible" system IYO but to actually prefer chaos is a much more 'terrible' idea. The system works and to get around it you just arrange for private pickup, like Kevin Campell and many others and pay the freight - very easy solution, very very easy.

The "kick back" would be the typical association membership fee. BTW, this past June there were TEN passengers crowded in with us in a taxi van. To top it off the driver has us holding luggage in our laps the whole trip! Now that's CRAPPY!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Wonder if there are any port fees etc? I know JFK charges port fees to parking car shuttles

I have had van drivers complain that I have too much luggage and it was heavy. Sometimes they charge for luggage and sometimes not.

I used to use Kevin a lot but since the port fees have been added and there are only 2 of us I cannot justify $60+ to go 3 miles.

Solution would be to have a ferry dock right at the airport, much quicker and easier.

LOL... ergo the $10 x 2 "solution"

I already booked with Kevin. There will only be two couples maybe a 5th person. Didn't know his rate was THAT high. I'm assuming it doesn't include tip. What would be an appropriate tip?

That high rate is for a single or double. It stays the same if you have 5+.

I understand that it's the same for 1 person or 5. I also understand Kevin's fees being subjected to the airport charges. In the past it was $10 per person plus a couple of bucks for luggage/tip per person. When you travel as a couple, expenses are doubled so $10 bucs for me now becomes 20 for my wife and I. With Kevin it's more like $30. He's still worth it to me, I just want to know if everyone still tips "normally" or factors in his higher rate. A few bucs is nothing. A few bucs here, there and everywhere adds up and I am responsible for the budget I told my crew, one of which recently lost his job. So if my estimates for this trip are within a couple hundred I'm doing well. If I'm over by 500 to 1,000 then I feel more responsible. I didn't have the luxury of choosing crew from a large pool of friends that were biting at the bit to go. I had to sell this trip and convince enough people to be able to go myself! I'm sure next year I'll be turning friends away.

I still plan on using Kevin on Thursday despite the fee. It is worth it to avoid the hassle of the airport taxis. Also, he is very good at knowing which ferry is going when and in the past he has gotten me to the dock and ticketed with barely 5 minutes to spare. Couldn't done that without him!!

Amen !!!!

We use Kevin every time - and yes, we paid the higher fees last April. But it's worth it to us. And, yes, we tip him on top of the higher fee.

Run the numbers.

for 5 people 65 $ total is 13 $ PP

a 2 $ tip on a 10 $ fare is 20 %

A 20 % tip on a 13 dollar fare is $2.60.

Even rounding that $2.60 up to 3 $ is not going to cost anyone a painkiller or a beer.

Kevin just texted me and said he'll be off island on day he's scheduled to pick us up. He arranged for Lou to meet us. Anyone know Lou? I'm sure he's fine just wanted to know if you get the same royal treatment and if he has the same "abilities" to work the ferry system that Kevin does if we get in a time crunch?

This fee is just for pickups right...not drop offs.

Lou is great, he will be there and take care of you.

Lou is excellent - worked with Kevin arriving and Lou on the return just last week. Both professional and will take care of you.

We used Kevin in June and his van was new and very nice. On the way back we used one of his friends and the van was nice as well. It's a pain the fees are so high, but if you are going to pay use Kevin and he will help you out.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />What is new that this time Kevin will meet me in baggage claim "under the marlin on the wall" rather than out by the flagpole. That is worth a few bucks!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />