Hello blueseaglass,

It isn't difficult. You can call the dispatcher; sometimes it takes a little bit for a taxi driver that is in the vicinity to respond to the call. Or if you find a taxi driver you like after using them once then get their business card and hours and you can call the same one.

There are some bad apples in the bunch that might try and charge you extra. What you can do is review the taxi rate sheet; you can find it on this site. Click on St. Thomas in the menu at the top of this page and from the drop down choose taxi rates. Have an idea of what the rate is. Licensed taxi drivers are supposed to carry the rate card in their vehicle. Agree to the rate when making the arrangement, before getting in the taxi and to your final destination. There are extra charges to keep in mind like:

Radio/Phone Call: One person, the fare plus one third of the basic fare. More than one person; add $1.00 to each passenger.
Between midnight and 6:00am, there shall be an additional charge of $2.00 per person.

A note: Gypsy taxis are often hanging around at bars at night - they are not licensed and usually operate 'taxi' in their personal vehicle; they may not follow the set rules and prices so use at your own risk. There are usually regular taxis at the more popular bars as well. You could ask the taxi that takes you to the bar if they will be around later in the night, for a taxi telephone number or to point you in the direction of where taxis congregate at that particular bar.

Also, I’ve seen where some taxi drivers will refuse to take passengers that are intoxicated, which really leaves you stranded if you don’t know anyone. So keep that in mind.

--Islander

Thanks for the info, Islander! Do you happen to know what the dispatch number is for the taxi association?

Wow ! How did you get the job housesitting? I'am available anytime, retired boomer, can get away at any time, I'd do it for free!!!!!

Hi Lolly

I used to work/live on STT. We are house-sitting for my old boss. I lived there for 2 years, but have not been back since 2000.

blueseaglass: VI Taxi Association dispatch number is 774-7457.

Thanks, Islander!

Can't wait..only 12 more hours till we leave!

find a reliable gypsy cab... I've got the # for a guy that drove me around and picked me up the week I was down there -- regardless of the hour or where I ended up. $ was no different then a regular cab.. but I tipped him well. Has a nice car and always has his cell on.

finding a cab if you plan on staying out late - or starting the evening late is a pita otherwise. I was staying at sugar bay and after 10:30pm.. the hotel couldn't get a cab to come up there.

if you need the number for the guy I used, email me. He also knows what's going on where.. so you don't have to guess what bars/clubs are going off. Where most licensed cab drivers will play dumb, take you to a place they know is dead -- and say "well we can try xyz..." and you'll end up spending $50 bucks in the process driving around the island.