Conditions of Coach Hire

Please read and retain for your records:

 1. Applications                

These Conditions apply whether a Booking has been made verbally or in writing. The Hirer acts on the behalf of all the passengers travelling on vehicles. 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 performing the Booking, whether or not they actually travel with the party. 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. The company will only accept instructions from the Hirer or their nominated representative.

 2. Quotations.

Quotations are given on the basis of the most direct route and on information provided by the hirer. The route used will be at the discretion of the company unless it has been particularly specified by the Hirer, in which case it will be shown on the confirmation. All quotations are given subject to the company having a suitable vehicle at the time the Hirer accepts the quotation. Quotations are valid for 28 days unless otherwise notified. Quotations are given for coach & driver only. Any additional charges will be separately identified and will be the Hirers responsibility unless otherwise specified.

 3. Use of the vehicle.                                

The Hirer cannot assume the use of the vehicle between outward and return journey, nor that it will remain at the destination for the hirers? use unless this has been agreed with the Company in advance.

 4. Route and Time Variation.  

The Company reserves the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time to that agreed. The charges will be pro rata. The vehicle WILL depart at the times agreed by the Hirer, and it is the responsibility of the Hirer to account for all the passengers at those times. The Company will not accept liability for any losses incurred by passengers who fail to follow instructions given by the Hirer.

 5. Drivers Hours.   

The hours of operation for drivers are regulated by law, and the Hirer accepts the responsibility of ensuring the hire keeps to the hours and times agreed by the Company. Neither the Hirer nor any passengers 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. The Hirer will be responsible for any additional costs incurred unless it is outside the control of the Hirer. The calculation of the costs will be as in condition 4.

 6. Seating Capacity.         

The Company will, at the time of booking, agree and specify the legal seating capacity of the vehicle to be supplied. The Hirer WILL NOT load the vehicle beyond this capacity. Any additional passengers will be removed.

 7. Conveyance of Animals.                     

No animals (other than guide or hearing dogs notified to the company in advance) may be carried on any vehicle without written agreement from the company.

8. 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. This is not a contract.

9. Payment.  

Cash, Cheques or BACS accepted. Cheques to be made payable to S J THOMSETT. Please ring the office 374731 for account number and sort code for BACS payment. Any deposit requested must be paid by the date stated, and payment in full must be made before the start of the Hire unless otherwise agreed by the Company. The Company reserves the right to add interest to all accounts that have not been paid within 14 days of invoice (unless otherwise arranged) at the rate of 5% compound interest per calendar month after the date by which payment should be made. For each reminder sent or phone call made a fee of £5 will be charged. Cheques returned by the bank will be charged at £10 each return, the account will immediately become overdue and interest will be added at 5% compound per calendar month.

10. Cancellations by the Hirer. If the Hirer wishes to cancel any agreement, the following scale of charges will apply in relation to the total hire charge.

Day?s prior to cancellation                      Fee charged

10 days or more                                       none

6-9 days                                                   10% of the hire

3-5 days                                                   25% of the hire

1-2 days                                                   50 % of the hire

Day of hire                                              85% of the hire

Arrival of coach at pick-up point             100% of the hire.

Cancellation due to inclement weather conditions will not be charged as above. The cost of accommodation, meals, theatre tickets, ferry crossings, which may already have been purchased by the Company at the request of the Hirer, will be charged to the Hirer, plus any administration charges incurred by the Company.

11. Cancellation by the Company.       

In the event of any emergency, riot, civil commotion, strike, lockout, stoppage or restraint of labour, act of terrorism, or on the happening of an event over which the company has no control, or in the event of the Hirer taking any action to vary agreed conditions unilaterally, the company may, by returning all monies paid to them and without further or other liability, cancel the Hire. Should the company find itself unable to meet with the requirements of the agreement it will cancel said agreement returning all monies paid to them, it is not liable for accommodation, theatre tickets, meals, ferry crossing etc booked by the Hirer.

12. Vehicle provided.                              

The company reserves the right to provide a larger vehicle than that specified at no additional charge unless extra seats are used in which case an additional pro rata charge will be made to the hire charge. The Company reserves the right to substitute the vehicle for that of another operator.

13. Breakdown & Delays.                      

The Company gives its advice on journey time in good faith. However as a result of breakdown or traffic congestion, or other events beyond the reasonable control of the Company, journeys can 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. In the event of a breakdown everything within the Company's power will be done to get the vehicle mobile or a replacement will be arranged, the Company WILL NOT be liable for a loss or inconvenience suffered. The Company WILL NOT be liable for the cost of any tickets or alternative transport other than replacement coach to the destination agreed or home. Please note these situations cannot be insured against and any claims WILL be dismissed.

14. Passengers Property.         

All vehicles hired by the Company are subject to restrictions on carrying luggage for statutory safety reasons. The hirer accepts the Driver shall be the sole judge as to whether and to what extent passengers? property is carried. Large bulky items may not be able to be carried, and the Hirer should take steps to notify the company in advance of such requirements. Any property left on the vehicle during the hire is left at the owner's own risk the company is not liable for said items. All articles of lost property recovered from the vehicle will be held at the Company's depot at which the vehicle is based, for two months unless item is perishable. If said articles are not claimed within this period the Company reserves the right to dispose of the article accordingly.

15. Equipment.                  

Equipment within the vehicle is provided at the discretion of the company/driver, unless the quotation specifies that any such facility will be available.

16. Passenger Conduct.  

The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and as such may remove any passenger whose behaviour prejudices safety or is in breach of the Public service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors and Passengers) Regulations 1990. These Regulations set out certain rights and responsibilities on all parties. The Hirer is responsible for any damage caused by any passenger for the duration of the hire.

17. ALCOHOL ON COACHES.                                  

The Hirer should be aware of the legal requirements relating to alcohol, contained in the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Regulations 1995 and the conditions of entry to racecourses as laid down by the Racecourse Association Ltd.

THE COMPANY WILL NOT PERMIT ALCOHOL TO BE COMSUMED OR CARRIED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. It is to be passed to the driver where it will be placed in the lockers and/or boot of the coach until disembarkation. Any fines received by the Company and Driver due to ALCOHOL being taken on or consumed in the coach will be the responsibility of the Hirer who too will be fined and possibly imprisoned by the authorities along with the consumer.

 18. Smoking                      

Smoking is NOT Permitted by Law anywhere on the vehicle.

19. Complaints/Compliments.               

Any complaints or compliments should either be: 1). Written on the reverse of the driver's work schedule or2) Sent in writing to the office where the appropriate action and will be taken or  3) Telephone the office on 01304 374731 and let us know any problems so we can ensure that they do not happen again.

20. Notices.

No Bill, Poster or Notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without the consent of the Driver.

21. Seatbelts.        

The Driver is NOT responsible for the passengers wearing the seatbelts. The HIRER is responsible for ensuring all passengers wear the seatbelts provided. ALL PASSENGERS ARE TO WEAR A SEATBELT IT IS NOW LAW. If a passenger is stood for any reason whilst the coach is in motion they are not covered for any liability should any injury arise. NO seat is to be shared between more passengers than designed for. All our vehicles are fitted with lapbelts childrens booster seats are not required.

22. The company reserve the right to add a fuel surcharge should fuel charges rise.

On booking a coach YOU the HIRER have accepted these conditions of hire.

We look forward to being of service to you and assure you of our best attention at all times.

These Conditions of Hire are Correct as 17/08/11

These Conditions of Hire are subject to change without notice.