New parking lot and facilities at big Maho

[toes in the sand]

Actually, the shuttle has just re-emerged in the news. The NPS is trying to get a proposal out of the taxi association, but if that doesn't work out they will negotiate with VITRAN.

Hugo, as promising as that sounds there were a few things in the article I read in the Tradewinds that cause me to be skeptical.
http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/ind ... &Itemid=38
First I have to be concerned when the VINP flies a "Transportation Scholar" in from elsewhere to plot a strategy for a solution. The best solutions are usually found by those most closely involved.
Secondly, a few statements in the article indicate to me that the VINP is expecting that the Taxi drivers will be unable or unwilling to come up with a viable plan and already have plans drawn up to bypass the taxi's altogether.
It just does not sound like bargaining in good faith.

edited to say; I do hope that they can find some viable plan to provide a North Shore shuttle.

[cypressgirl]

Liamsaunt had no idea she was going to stir up such a hornets nest. Is this still a "travel" forum? I feel like, according to some locals, I'm not welcome as a traveler to STJ. I might use some water, or electricity, or the dumpster. Is it time to find an island that welcomes and needs tourists?? This forum is becoming not fun.

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[toes in the sand]

Maho! Ahhhha Maho. So we load up the jeep with so fairly nice beach chairs, cooler, towels, snorkel gear, neat sheet, and some nice weed someone left in a film canister at the villa.

Now this is how most of us get to Maho, or any other beach on St John. Can someone explain how a shuttle would work to get me and my stuff to a North Shore beach using a shuttle? Be as detailed as possible.

First you shouldve taken care of the film canister at the villa and you'd be able to figure it out.
Seriously, leave the chairs at the villa. If you are in Chocolate Hole you will have to drive your rented car to the parking lot at the NPS Visitor Center (or up the hill at the Biosphere or whatever it is up there above Salomon)that expanded as part of the shuttle program and either a)hop onto a bus. b)grab a taxi. c)hop onto a park service safari bus. Pay your fare. Hop off the vehicle at the stop that you want. Swim, snorkel or whale on the beach. Pick up your stuff and walk to the shuttle stop. Wait for the next a)b) or c) going whichever direction you want to head and repeat.
If you rent near a Vitran Stop remove renting a vehicle when you arrive on island and replace driving from Chocolate Hole to the parking lot with take a bus to the parking lot.
Public transit, So easy even a New Yorker could do it.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

SJ/NJ...it wouldn't work. It's vacation. We want what we want when we want it. I am with you on that.

Call it crass, call it inconsiderate, but...I'M ON FREAKIN' VACATION!

[sea-nile]

jmq

Love the picture of Maho!

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[toes in the sand]

- want to protect the fragile environment which is the source of StJ beauty.
- want to have freedom of your own car, a pool and hot tub, AC, washer and dryer at the villa.
- want to drive to my favorite beach and park
- don't want a new parking lot at my favorite beach.
- want nice roads to all my favorite beaches.
- don't want to share my favorite beaches with crowds.
- want to drive my own rental.
- hate finding a parking spot in town.
- want what I want when I want it and I want it NOW.
My view of vacation is a bit different.
I see the disconnect.
Perhaps a cruise ship is in your future. Everything you could want when you want it NOW.

[cptnkirk]

SjfromNJ have you actually found someones stash at your villa thats to funny

[mindehankins]

SJ your story made me LOL! Thanks!
I'm thinking, though, that the shuttle isn't for "Joe Villa Renter;" it's for Joe Cinnamon Bay/Maho Bay camper, Joe Hillcrest Guest House guest, Joe Caneel guest, Joe cruise ship passenger, etc.
There are many visitors to St. John that the villa crowd forget about, who don't (for whatever reason) rent Jeeps, so whos access to other beaches is limited.
I don't think anyone's saying that the only way to get to the North Shore beaches is via this shuttle.

[jmq]

jmq

Love the picture of Maho!

Thanks – whenever my posts bring the love, I consider that mission accomplished.

My favorite time at Maho is during the late afternoon “magic hours” when you get that warm lighting and the possibility of dramatic clouds. Unfortunately, its not the favorite time for others in my party who are bug magnets or who start the “I gotta get out of this bathing suit and take a shower” squirm.

Serenity now!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wM ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/RwPqz ... 2.JPG"></a>

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[mindehankins]

Duh! You're right. It increases accessibility but doesn't help preserve the environment. My bad!

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Sorry Toes, but I'm not a cruise ship person. I'm fine with the way the roads used to be (prefer the dirt roads, like the ones that used to be in Fish Bay); I'm fine with the way the parking at Maho works now; I never complain about the lack of parking in Cruz Bay because we rent from Mr. Sutton and use his lot.

There is no "disconnect" here. But, I do not want to get preached to about my vacation.

[liamsaunt]

A North Shore shuttle would be a good asset for jeepless daytrippers from St. Thomas and cruise ship people also. I see the taxi tours with the ship people going around all the time, but I don't think they actually get to visit any beaches other than Trunk and Cinnamon. A shuttle would give them more options.

I have to admit that I would not personally use this service if I was staying at a villa and already renting a jeep.

When we are at Caneel, we always turn in the jeep and just stay on their beaches--they are so beautiful it is hard to leave! I know we are not the only ones....my former boss has gone to Caneel every February for the past five years, and he has never seen any other part of the island! Not even town for dinner! My current boss has started going to Caneel too, and he stays on the resort as well (but at least he goes to town for dinner!).