One taxi didn't have a back seat! Most are fine, but sometimes they also get very crowded. Normally, a route taxi carries four people. Sometimes they carry six or seven. In another taxi, a passenger sat on the driver's lap! I was shocked! Like I said, it is an adventure!
Kingston traffic is legendary. One day, it took me and a friend an hour and a half to travel a half a mile. I wish I were joking... the traffic was that bad. This is because most people drive. However, if you don't have a car, the way to get around is by taxi or bus.
Because it is hot, most people do not walk. Both buses and route taxis cost $100JA, which is about 80 U.S. cents. It is not too expensive to travel. The route taxis are easiest to get, so most people take them. But if a bus comes, we all go for the bus!
When people hear my accent, they are surprised. They expect that I would find a more comfortable way of traveling, but you cannot beat the price! Plus, it is nice to meet people, which you always do when you're crammed in the same moving vehicle.
I take the route taxi almost all the time. Quite a few people I know are shocked. Since I do not have a car, and the regular taxis are more expensive, it makes sense, espeically when it is very hot or raining. Plus, I like the adventure. I like meeting people. The drivers often are funny. They sometimes make fun of my accent. Sometimes they tell me about their lives and ask me about NYC. I always enjoy my ride, even if I have a stranger's child sitting on my lap or am holding an old woman's groceries.
