1.Quotations:
Quotations are given on the basis of the most direct route and on information provided by the hirer allowing stops to be made at suitable points to serve the comfort of the passengers and to satisfy legal requirements regarding breaks and rest for the driver. The route taken will be at the discretion of the company unless it has been specified by the hirer, in writing in which case it will be clearly shown on the confirmation.
Quotations are valid for 28 days and bookings can only be accepted subject to availability at the time the booking is made. Quotations are given for coach and driver only. Any additional charges will be separately identified and will be the hirer's responsibility unless otherwise specified.
2.Applications:
These conditions apply whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing. The hirer acts on behalf of all of the passengers travelling on the vehicle. If the hirer is a company, group or partnership an individual must be named as a responsible person. The hirer is responsible for the actions and decisions of all the passengers on board including any additional costs incurred in performing the contract, whether or not they actually travel with the party. The company will only accept instructions from the hirer. If the hirer is not going to travel with the party a representative must be chosen, and the company informed prior to the hire taking place.
3.Use of vehicle:
The hirer cannot assume use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor to remain at the destination for the hirers use unless this has been agreed with the company in advance. Please note that even a small variation in the hire details can involve a significant increase in the cost of the hire. Example of this would be the need to send out a relief driver, or securing another coach and driver if a late return affects other work to which your coach and driver was assigned.
4.Drivers Hours:
Law regulates the hours of operation for the driver and the hirer accepts responsibility of ensuring the hire keeps to the hours and times agreed by the company. Neither the hirer nor any other passenger shall delay or otherwise interrupt the journey in such a way that the driver is at risk of breaching regulations relating to driving hours and duty time. If any breach is likely to occur, the hirer will be responsible for any additional costs incurred unless it is outside the control of the hirer. Any additional costs will be as in condition 5.
5.Route and Time Variations:
The company reserves the right to levy additional charges for mileage or time other than that agreed. The vehicle will depart at times agreed by the hirer and it is the responsibility of the hirer to account for all passengers at those times. The company will not accept responsibility for any losses incurred by passengers who fail to follow instructions given by the hirer.
6.Seating Capacity:
The company will at the time of booking agree and specify the legal seating of the vehicle to be supplied. The hirer must not load the vehicle beyond this capacity.
7.Vehicle Facility:
The vehicle will at the time of booking agree and specify the facilities on board the vehicle that you are hiring. These facilities will also be detailed on your confirmation. It is the hirer's responsibility to check the details and inform the company if they are not correct. While the company will endeavour to ensure that all the facilities are in working order on every vehicle ,if a breakdown should occur with any of the facilities i.e. fridge, toilet, pa system, DVD, and coffee machine, the company's liability is limited to 20 GBP per facility.
8.Conveyance of animals:
On a private hire no animals (other than guide dogs and hearing dogs notified to the company in advance) may be carried on any vehicle without prior written agreement by the company.
9. Conformation
Normally written confirmation by the company is the only basis for the acceptance of a hire or for a subsequent alteration to its terms.
10.Payment.
The hirer is responsible to pay any deposits and the full hire costs when due. If you fail to make due payments we are entitled to either terminate the contract or to take legal action to enforce payment. The company reserve the right to add interest at a rate of 2% compound interest per calendar month, after the date by which payment should have been made.
11.Cancellation by hirer:
a. If the hirer wishes to cancel any agreement they are liable to forfeit any deposit paid and to make further payments up to the following % of the hire price.
CANCELLATION CHARGE
8 days or more Deposit
6-7 days 25%
3-5 days 35%
2 days 50%
1 day 75%
Arrival of coach at departure 100%
b. The cost of accommodation, meals, and theatre tickets that have already been purchased by the company at the request of the hirer, plus any administration costs incurred by the company.
c. Cancellation due to inclement weather will be charged as above.
d. Theatre tickets or other such ancillary service once purchased are not refundable and must be paid for in full.
12.Cancellation by the company:
In the event of any emergency, riot, civil commotion, strike, lock out, stoppage or restraint of labour or on the happening of any event over which the company has no control (including adverse weather and road conditions) or in the event of the hirer taking any action to vary agreed conditions unilaterally, the company may, by returning all money paid and without further action or other liability cancel the contract. The company will not be held responsible for any onward travel costs.
13. Vehicle to be provided:
The company reserve the right to provide a larger vehicle than that specified at no additional charge unless any extra seats are used in which case an additional pro rata charge will be made to the hire charges. The company reserves the right to substitute another vehicle (including those of other operators) or ancillary facilities for all or part of the hire.
14.Breakdown and Delays:
The company gives its advice on journey times in good faith. However as a result of breakdown or traffic congestion, or other events beyond the reasonable control of the company, journeys may take longer than predicted and in those circumstances the company will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience suffered by the hirer as a result.
15.Agency Agreements:
Where the company hire in vehicles from other operators at the request of the hirer and where the company arrange ancillary facilities such as meals, accommodation, ferries, and admission tickets or any other services provided by another supplier it does so as agent for and on behalf of the hirer. Any terms and conditions imposed by such other suppliers through the company shall insofar as they are supplied to the hirer, be binding on the hirer as if he has directly contracted such services and the hirer shall indemnify the company against any loss, claim, or award in respect of a breach of such suppliers terms and conditions brought about by the hirers actions.
16.Passenger's property:
All vehicles hired by the company are restricted on carrying luggage for statutory safety reasons. Any coach that is overloaded, whether with passengers or their possessions is likely to be stopped by the police and not allowed to proceed until it is within the legal limits. To avoid the inconvenience and increased hire costs occasioned by this, the hirer must observe seating limits and any restriction on the type size and weights of passengers luggage purchased etc advised by us and /our driver. Large bulky items may not be able to be carried, and the hirer should take all steps to notify the company in advance of such requirements. Whilst we will take all reasonable care with passenger's luggage and other items which passengers may bring on our coach, we do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused to these items whilst on the vehicle. Hirers must advise their passengers not to leave valuables on the vehicle when it is left unattended. Personal insurance of luggage and valuables is strongly recommended. All articles of lost property recovered from the vehicle will be held at the company's premises where the vehicle is based and will be subject to the current Public Service Vehicle (Lost Property) Regulations. The company will provide details of this upon request.
17.Conduct of passengers:
No person or organisation should agree to hire a coach unless they are prepared to accept the obligation involved. As our contract is with you and not the passengers, we have to insist that you accept responsibility for any damage they might cause to our coach. The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times and as such may remove any passenger whose behaviour prejudices or is in breach of the Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) regulations 1990. These regulations set out certain rights and responsibilities on all parties and full details can be obtained from the company on request. The hirer is responsible for any damage caused to the vehicle by any passenger for the duration of the hire. Where the hire is to a sporting event, the hirer should be aware of the legal requirements relating to alcohol, contained in the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1995 and the conditions of entry to race courses as laid down by the Race Course Association Ltd. The company will provide details of these restrictions upon request.
18.Complaints:
In the event of a complaint about the company's service the hirer should endeavour to seek a solution at the time by seeking assistance from the driver or from the company. If this has not provided a remedy, complaints should be submitted in writing within 14 days of the termination date of the hire. Acknowledgement of the complaint will be made within 14 days of receipt. Any complaint that is received is thoroughly investigated and the customers are kept informed at each stage of the investigation. On occasions an investigation can take some time when awaiting a response for a supplier.
19.Refreshments and Alcohol:
Other than on a vehicle fitted expressly for that purpose, food and drink (Including alcoholic beverages) may not be consumed on the vehicle without prior written consent from the company.
20.Surcharge:
Once a confirmation has been issued to the hirer, providing there is 30 days prior to the departure date the company reserve the right to pass on increases in the cost of fuel, in particular due to any rises due to the threat of a war. Also any taxes imposed by the governments of the UK and of any other countries to be visited during the hire, together with increases in road tolls and currency fluctuations. No surcharge will be levied within 30 days of the departure date. On notification of such surcharge the hirer may cancel the booking subject to the scale of cancellation charges shown in paragraph 11.The liability of the hirer to the company will be limited to the cost of the hire and any ancillary services supplied.
21.Ferry/Shuttle Charges:
When a booking is made for a continental tour which requires a ferry or shuttle booking, the cost of this ferry or shuttle booking must be paid by return. This can be paid by cheque, credit or debit card. If this is not paid your booking may not be held.
22.Vehicle Breakdowns
In the event of a mechanical breakdown on the vehicle you have hired, the company will NOT be held responsible for any losses that may be incurred.
23: Customer Behaviour
In the event that any member of the coach party puts the driver or other Passengers at risk or breaches the law while traveling, the company is within its right to terminate the contract with immediate effect.
