Application
These conditions apply whether or not a Contract
of Carriage has been entered into as a result of
a quotation being offered and accepted or
whether a Contract has been made verbally or in
writing.
Liability
The Company shall not be liable for loss to the
hirer or any of the passengers in the coach
resulting from:
(i) Stoppages of work howsoever caused,
preventing performance of the contract hire.
(ii) Loss of, or damage to, luggage or any
property which belongs to any passenger that is
left in a vehicle unless such loss or damage is
caused by any act or default of the Company. All
articles of lost property recovered from a
vehicle will be held at the depot at which the
vehicle is based.
(iii) Breakdowns of the Company's vehicles.
(iv) Breakdowns of vehicles or ferries belonging
to third parties.
(v) The conditions of any vehicles, ferries or
premises belonging to third parties.
(vi) The Company hereby limits its liability
resulting from vehicle hire to the total cost of
the hire.
(vii) Any delay caused by an Act of God or any
other circumstance not under the Company's
control.
(viii) Breakdown of onboard facilities (when
provided) e.g. toilets, drink machines, videos,
radio/cassette and public address systems.
Quotations
Quotations are made subject to a vehicle suiting
the Hirer’s requirements being available at the
time of acceptance. Quotations are based on
costs prevailing at the time and in accordance
with details provided by the Hirer. Unless
otherwise stated admission charges, meals,
accommodation and parking charges for special
events are not included in the price quoted.
Quotations are valid for 28 days from the date
of issue or for any other period specified in
writing.
Confirmation
Normally written confirmation by the Company is
the only basis for the acceptance of a hiring or
for a subsequent alteration to its terms.
Payment
(i) If the Hirer does not have credit facilities
with the Company then a non-refundable deposit
of £25.00 is payable at the time of booking and
the balance of the hire charge must be paid 7
working days prior to the start of the hire
unless any other terms have been confirmed by
the Company in writing.
(ii) If the Hirer has prearranged credit
facilities with the Company he/she will receive
an invoice at the end of the hire. Payment is
due within 30 days of the date of invoice. The
Company reserves the right to add interest at
the rate of 3% above National Westminster Bank
plc base rate in force at the time being, after
the date by which payment should have been made.
(iii) Subject to prior arrangement with the
Company, the Company will accept payment from a
non-UK clearing Bank by Bank Transfer. Such a
payment shall be the full sterling value of the
invoice rendered. All charges, negotiation fees,
interest or any other costs relating to the
transfer of funds are to be the responsibility
of the Hirer.
Cancellation By The Company
In the event of any emergency or force majeure
or of any action by the Hirer to vary agreed
conditions unilaterally, the Company may, by
returning all money paid and without further or
other liability, cancel the Contract.
Cancellation By the Hirer
(i) Should the Hirer wish to cancel any
agreement, the Company reserve the right to
apply the following scale of charges in relation
to the total hire charge:
From time of booking up to 7 days prior to date
of hire: Deposit retained
From 6 days up to 72 hours prior to date of
hire: 50%
From 48 hours to 24 hours prior to hire: 75%
Less than 24 hours prior to hire: 100%
(ii) Cancellation due to inclement weather will
be charged as above
(iii) Should the Hirer have credit facilities
with the Company and the Hirer cancels a
booking, then the Company reserves the right to
apply the above scale of charges to the account.
Route and Time Variation
Should a vehicle be detained by the Hirer or
taken on a longer journey than that contracted
for, the Company reserves the right to make an
additional charge commensurate with the costs
incurred. In any event the vehicle(s) will
depart at times agreed with the Hirer and the
Company will not be liable for any loss or
injury sustained by any passenger who fails to
join a vehicle at the appointed time.
Delays
The Company gives advice on journey time in good
faith but does not guarantee the completion of
any journey in any specified time and will not
be liable for loss, delay or inconvenience
caused by the actual time of the journey.
Substitution
The Company reserves the right to hire in
vehicles from other operators and also to
provide a larger than specified vehicle at no
additional charge, unless any seats are used. If
extra seats are used an additional charge will
be made pro-rata to the hire charge. The Company
reserves the right to substitute other vehicles
(including those of other operator(s)) or
ancillary facilities for all or part of the
hiring subject to such substitute, so far as
possible in the circumstances, being of similar
quality.
Agency Agreements
Where the Company hires in vehicles from other
operators and where the Company arranges
ancillary facilities, such as meals,
accommodation, ferries, admission, tickets or
any other service 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 be
binding on the Hirer as if he had directly
contracted for such services.
Drivers’ Hours and Rest Periods
The hours agreed with the Company for the
operation of any hire must be strictly observed
(other than in the case of serious emergency or
diversion) so that current regulations governing
driver’s hours and rest periods can be complied
with. The Company reserves the right to curtail
or otherwise alter any hire that does not comply
with the relevant regulations.
Driver’s Accommodation
Unless agreed otherwise, in writing, driver’s
accommodation (where applicable) must be
provided and paid for by the Hirer. This should
be single en suite accommodation including bed,
breakfast and an evening meal.
Use of Vehicle
Unless confirmed in writing by the Company the
vehicle should not be assumed to remain at any
point between the outward and return journeys
nor to remain available for the Hirer’s
incidental use when parked at such points.
Seating Capacity
The Hirer must not load any vehicle beyond the
number of passengers that it is legally
permitted to carry. The Company reserves the
right to supply a larger coach than is ordered
at no extra charge. Should there be room to
accommodate additional passengers, other than
stated at the time of booking, the Company
reserves the right to apply an additional
charge.
On Board Facilities
If needed, then a request by the Hirer for a
toilet, drinks machine, video, radio cassette
and public address system etc, should be made at
the same time as the quotation is given.
Refreshments & Alcoholic Beverages
Other than on a vehicle fitted expressly for
that purpose, no food and drink, including
alcoholic beverages, may be consumed on the
vehicle without prior written consent from the
Company.
Passengers Property
The recommendation of the Department of
Transport is that for safety of passengers each
passenger is limited to a maximum baggage weight
of 10 kilos per person. Unless previously agreed
with the Company the driver is the sole arbiter
as to the carriage of a passenger’s luggage and
its storage. The Company will not accept
liability for any damage to or loss of any
property left on a vehicle by a passenger. All
articles of lost property recovered from a
vehicle will be held at the depot at which the
vehicle is based for a period not exceeding one
month, after which the Company reserves the
right to dispose of the items. A small charge
will be made for the keeping of lost property
handed in at the end of a Hire.
Conduct of Passengers
The driver is responsible for the safety of the
vehicle. Any passenger whose conduct is in
breach of statutory regulations may be removed
from a vehicle or prevented from boarding on the
driver’s authority. The Hirer will be
responsible for the conduct of passengers and
for any damage caused to the vehicle by
passengers during the hire.
School Parties
The ‘organiser’ shall be the Hirer and not the
School. It shall be the absolute responsibility
of the Hirer to ensure that the necessary
arrangements have been made for the safe
supervision and conduct, including the wearing
of the seatbelts, of all students in the party.
A member of staff must occupy the seat situated
alongside the Emergency Exit at the rear of the
vehicle.
Animals
On a private hire no animal may be carried
without prior agreement, in writing, of the
Company.
Complaints
Any complaint in respect of the Company’s
services should be made in writing to the
Company’s registered office as soon as possible
and in any event within 28 days at the end of
the hire.
Notices
No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on
any vehicle without the consent of the company.
Insurance
Hirer and individual passengers are advised to
insure themselves for those events not covered
under the Company’s Policy, for example, delay
and loss of luggage. The Company can arrange
additional insurance cover on request.
