Catt- to be honest I wouldn't say it has changed all that much in all these years. Yes there are some added layers, but being smart about how you move around should not be misconstrued that ALL visitors or travelers aren't welcomed or that 9 out of 10 times people using local systems like route taxis won't be fine.
My whole problem with people using route taxis is when it is advocated en masse as opposed to just a few people naturally exposed to it and thus moving in and out of a system with little added stresses to that system that I'd like to point out is already NOT REALLY working that well, for example, causing unsafe roads which people then complain about...especially when there is a limited resource for female users in the sense that trusted drivers at certain times of the day are a limited resource and people's enjoyment of their vacation or whatever seems pale justification against someone who is at threat of getting home with less hassles than they already face. Most people don't care or won't see it that way, be they Jamaican, tourist, or what have you, but I don't see what difference that makes either.
You are a mix and tumble visitor- but as far back as I can remember, which is going back many years, and as a non tourist which you moreso than many others know what I mean when I say that, I can remember females checking out cars with hard ass stares as to who was the driver before they got in. It used to infuriate me or at least frustrate me because for the life of me I couldn't understand what the difference was between taxis and why one was no good but another was just fine and greeted with a smile. It took me a long time to figure it out because nobody would explain it and I understand that now too.
It's always been that way for as long as I can remember, and that is because there is a lot of attacks against women as I soon learned to my great chagrin.
I would wager there are precious few women who regularly use route taxis to move around who do not watch what car they get into. That's because sexual predation is a tremendous issue, within the family, in the work place, everywhere..."mankind cares not for his sisters anymore..."
i've said it before and i would say it again, i would have sincere reservations about raising my daughter in jamaica, and if i ever had one probably would not.