1.  APPLICATIONS
These conditions apply whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing.  The hirer acts on behalf of all the passengers travelling on the 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 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.

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 clearly shown on the confirmation.

      * *     All quotations are given subject to the company having available 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 and driver only.  Any additional charges will be separately identified and will be the hire’s responsibility unless otherwise specified.

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 hire’s use unless this has been agreed with the company in advance.

4.  ROUTE & TIME VARIATION.
The Company reserves the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time than that agreed.  The charges will be pro rata and in accordance with the formula advised on the booking confirmation.  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 liability for any losses incurred by passengers who fail to follow instructions given by the hirer.

5.  DRIVERS’ HOURS    
The hours of operation for the driver 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.  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 4.   

6.  SEATING CAPACITY & SAFETY
The Company will, at the time of booking, agree and specify the legal seating capacity of the vehicle to be supplied.  The hirer must not load the vehicle beyond this capacity.  All passengers must remain correctly seated at all times whilst the vehicle is in motion and where seat belts are fitted they must be used.

7.  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 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.

9.  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 at the rate of 2% compound interest per calendar month, after the date by which payment should have been made.

10. CANCELLATION BY HIRER
a)      If the hirer wishes to cancel any agreement, the following scale of charges will apply in relation to the total hire charge.

DAYS PRIOR TO CANCELLATION CHARGE COACH HIRE:

10 days or more            None           
 6 – 9 days                10 % of hire
 3 – 5 days                25% of hire
 1 – 2 days                50% of hire
 Day of hire                85% of hire
 Arrival of coach at departure point                100% of hire

b)    The cost of accommodation, meals and theatre tickets which have already 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.  
c)    Cancellation due to inclement weather conditions will be charged as above.
d)    Theatre tickets* once purchased are not returnable and must be paid for in full (*or other such ancillary service).

11.  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 be returning all money paid and without further or other liability, cancel the contract.

12. VEHICLE TO BE PROVIDED
a.    The company reserves 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 charge.
b.     The company reserves the right to substitute another vehicle (including those of other operators) or ancillary facilities for all or part of the hiring subject to such substitutes being of at least equivalent quality.

13.   BREAKDOWN AND 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 may take longer than predicted,  in those circumstances the company will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience suffered by the hirer as a result.

14.  AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS
Where the company hires in vehicles from other operators at the request of the hirer and where the company arranged ancillary facilities such as  meals, accommodation, ferries,  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 it he had directly contracted such services and the hirer shall indemnify the company against any loss claim,
damage or award in respect of a breach of such supplier’s terms and conditions brought about by the hirer’s action.


15.  PACKAGE TRAVEL REGULATIONS
If the hirer organises other elements of a package in addition to the provision of transport, the hirer may be defined as an “organiser” or a “retailer” for the purposes of the Package Travel Package Holidays, and Package Tours Regulations 1992, and as such may be required to comply with the provisions of those Regulations.  In this instance, the company cannot accept any liability that may be  incurred for losses or damage that if would otherwise accept under the terms of those Regulations. The hirer accept responsibility for ensuring whether they are so defined, and the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage incurred that should have been the responsibility of the hirer if the hirer was the legally defined organiser or retailer. Where the Company act as an organiser or retailer, it will issue separate conditions of trading relating to its liabilities and responsibilities under the Regulations.

16.  PASSENGERS’ PROPERTY
a)       All vehicles hired by the company are subject to restrictions on carrying luggage for statutory safety reasons.  
          The hirer accepts that 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 all steps to notify the company in advance of such requirements.

b)       The company accepts any personal property of the hirer and their passengers on the understanding that it will take all reasonable steps to avoid loss or damage.  The hirer should notify the company or the driver if items  of exceptional value are to be carried in the vehicle.  It is the hirer’s responsibility to minimise risk of loss  when property is left unattended.

c)        The Company’s liability for loss and damage, however, caused other than death or person injury –  is limited  to £100 per bag, case or package  and an overall limit of £300 (overall claim value) maximum per passenger. It is the responsibility of the hirer to ensure that items over this value are insured separately for loss and damage.

d)       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 legislation on request.

17. CONDUCT OF PASSENGERS.
a)       The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times, and as such may remove any passenger whose behaviour prejudices safety 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 of these 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.

b)       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 on request.

18.  COMPLAINTS
In the event of complaint about the company’s services, 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 and within 14 days of the termination date of the hire.

19.  NOTICES
No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without the written consent of the company.

20.  REFRESHMENTS AND ALCOHOL DRINKS
Other than on a vehicle fitted expressly for that purpose, food (except confectionery) and drink (including alcoholic beverages) may not be consumed on the vehicle without prior written consent from the company.

21.  SURCHARGES
Once a confirmation has been issued to the hirer, providing there are 30 days prior to the departure date, the Company reserves the right to pass on increases in the cost of fuel , taxes imposed by the Governments of the U.K. and other countries to be visited during the journey, road tolls and foreign currency.  No surcharges will be levied within 30 days of departure.  On notification of such surcharges the hirer may cancel the booking subject to the scale of cancellation charges shown in paragraph 10.  

The liability of the company will be limited to the cost of the hire and any ancillary services supplied.