All bookings with Speciality Coach Hire are made under the following terms. These terms are automatically agreed to once a booking is made.
SPECIALITY COACH HIRE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PRIVATE HIRE
These conditions apply whether a contract is made verbally or in writing. All hire falls within the terms of these conditions unless it is expressly agreed otherwise between Speciality Coach Hire and the Client in writing. The company reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions from time to time in order to conform with legislation and business practices. Where this is the case the company will inform any hirer of the changes by publishing the Terms and Conditions on its web site.
1. The hirer and Speciality Coach Hire
a: The Hirer contracts the Company for Private Hire upon behalf of the Hirer and as an agent for all passengers travelling on the vehicle. b: The Hirer warrants that he/she has the full authority of all passengers (or their agent) to enter into this contract on their behalf and to accept these conditions of hire. c: The hirer acts on behalf of all the passengers travelling on the vehicles. If the hirer is a company, group, or partnership, an individual should be named as a responsible person. d: 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. e: The hirer is responsible for a minimum penalty of £110 in case the vehicle is soiled due to alcohol sick-ness or otherwise. f: If the hirer is not going to travel with the party, a representative should be chosen and they must make arrangements for the organisation of passengers travelling on the vehicle. Speciality Coach Hire must be informed who this is prior to the hire taking place. The company will only accept instructions from the hirer or their nominated representative. g: It is the responsibility of the hirer to check all details on the booking confirmation and ensuring its accuracy and completeness. All hire is undertaken in accordance with the booking confirmation. Any discrepancy is to be communicated to the company immediately. Failure to notify in a timely manner and subsequent amendment will carry additional charges with the minimum administration fee being £20 in addition and any further cost implications. h: Any associated charges or taxes that the company is obliged to pay to the Government, or any other authority will be passed on to the hirer. The hirer is responsible for all such charges and monies will be collected accordingly. i: Making a booking will be deemed to signify acceptance of these terms and conditions.
2. Quotations
a: Quotations are given on the basis of the most suitable route and on information provided by the hirer. b: 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 or invoice. c: All quotations are given subject to the company having available a suitable vehicle at the time the hirer accepts the quotation. d: All quotations are valid for 5 days un-less otherwise notified. e: Quotations are given for vehicle and driver; and include any parking or toll charges incurred during the journey. f: Any requests / changes to the itinerary / booking are to be notified to the company and not to the driver directly.
3. Use of the Vehicle
a: Although a confirmation may state ‘Vehicle to Stay’ , the hirer cannot assume the use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor that it will remain at the destination for the hirer’s use unless this has been agreed with the Speciality Coach Hire in advance. b: Speciality Coach Hire reserves the right to change the assigned vehicle as per suitability and requirement. c: No luggage is to be left on the vehicle unless specifically agreed to with the company even if a secondary transfer is to take place. Speciality Coach Hire is not liable for any theft or damage to unattended belongings / luggage. d: Any personal items /luggage articles left on a vehicle past the conclusion of service are to be claimed within a 48-hour period. If an article has been left on board are staff turns it in to the depot whereby it is kept for a period of a week. Past the conclusion of the weekly time frame, we may dispose of the article as we may deem fit either by destroying, donating or selling off the article under consideration. e: Unless expressly agreed with the company no food or drinks may be consumed on the vehicle; terms must be agreed in advance at the time of booking. f: If the food / beverages are to be supplied via the company, the company may bill the hirer for any additional costs incurred in procuring the food/beverage items. The rate for the food / beverage items to be supplied will be determined by the company. g: The hirer is responsible that no mess/ rubbish/ soilage takes place in the vehicle. In case of any mess/ rubbish / soilage the company has the right to bill the hirer the cleaning charges which range from £110 to £550 depending on the size and classification of the vehicle booked. h: Luggage quantity has to be indicated at the time of booking. g: There is a strict no smoking policy at all times in all vehicles. h: The hirer is responsible that all passengers wear seat belts and for the general conduct of all passengers. Failure to comply may result in additional fines to be settled post the conclusion of service. g: In case of any passenger(s) being disruptive or posing any threat to the driver, vehicle or to fellow passengers the company and the company’s representative reserves the right to eject such passenger(s) and, if needed, to cancel the contract altogether and annul service with immediate effect. In this case the hirer will forego all monies paid to the company and will be liable to additional fines if applicable.
4. Route and Time Variation
a: The company reserves the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time to that agreed. (They cannot be agreed solely with the driver on the day of travel). These extra charges are available on request. b: The vehicle will depart at times agreed by the hirer at the time of booking, and it is the responsibility of the hirer to ac-count for all passengers. c: The company will not accept liability for any losses incurred by passengers who fail to conform with the agreed arrangements.
5. Drivers’ Hours
a: 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.
b: Neither the hirer nor any 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.
6. Seating/ luggage Capacity
a: Speciality Coach Hire 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. The hirer must specify if significant (heavy or voluminous) luggage is to be carried as a larger vehicle may be required in these cases.
7. Conveyance of Animals
a: 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. Payment & Confirmation
a: All payments made via Card carry a 4% processing charge. b. Once a deposit has been received by the company, a confirmation email will be sent to the hirer. c: Any deposit requested must be paid by the date stated and payment in full must be made in accordance with our terms of trade unless otherwise agreed by the company. d:The company reserves the right to add to the outstanding balance, the costs that it incurs in chasing for payment be that electronic communication or any other means of communication. e: Payment is required to secure a booking.
9. Cancellation by Hirer
a: If the hirer wishes to cancel any booking/agreement, the following conditions and charges will apply in relation to the deposit paid. b: Where more than one vehicle is booked the charges will apply to each vehicle cancelled.
– Notice given – Charges
14 days or more – Loss of the deposit paid
7 to 13 days – 50% of the total booking amount
Less than 7 days – 75% of the total booking amount
Less than 3 days – Total amount paid
c: Purchase of tickets to any attraction (such as Theme Parks or Theatre etc.) will not be refunded whatever reason the cancellation is due to. d: Speciality Coach Hire will make its best effort to complete the journey agreed. If the company deems it highly risky or dangerous to start/complete the journey due to adverse weather conditions or any other factor beyond our control, the customer’s deposit will be refunded after deducting a 10% admin fee.
10. 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 may be made to the hire charge. b: The company reserves the right to substitute another vehicle, or combination of vehicles (including those of other operators) or ancillary facilities for all or part of the hiring. Where a combination of vehicles is used the combination will be at least equivalent in seating capacity. c: If due to events beyond the control of the company, the company is unable to undertake a contract, the company is liable for the principal sum only. d: Photographs of the vehicle to be used can be obtained from the company. Such photographs are for illustrative purposes only and the actual vehicle may be of a different model/make with difference in livery and appearance as long as the established requirements of the hire are satisfied.
11. Delays
a: The company gives its advice on journey time in good faith. However, as a result of
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. b: Speciality Coach Hire will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience suffered by the hirer or passengers if our vehicle was to suffer a mechanical failure immediately before or during the journey. c: The hirer will be provided a suitable alternative vehicle at the company’s expense (possibly of another operator) to transport all passengers to the destination agreed at the time of the booking.
12. Cancellation
a: The company may end the contract if the payment due is not made in the time indicated. b: The company may annul the contract if relevant information necessary for us to fulfil the contract is not supplied or not provided in a timely manner. c: Speciality Coach Hire may suspend services in the case of any unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. In this case we will aim to notify you at the earliest possible moment to cause the minimal delay. d: The company may cancel any contract in the case of occurrence of events beyond the company’s control such as unusual traffic, congestion, civil unrest, strikes, road works, road closures, power failure, accidents, terrorist attacks, earthquakes, floods, storms, fire, explosion, riots, civil unrest, acts of war, preparation of war and emergencies, actual or potential severe weather conditions, natural disasters, power failure, internet service failure, epidemics etc. In such a case the company is only liable for the principal sum and no further liability. Costs already incurred by the company towards the fulfilment of the contract such as wages, fuel etc. will not be refunded. e: The company reserves the right to cancel a booking if the booking is deemed to have been made under fraudulent means. If any fraudulent measures / false information / deceptive technique comes to light after a booking has been confirmed, the company reserves the right to cancel the booking with immediate effect. Monies paid towards such booking will not be refunded. f: If the Company is unable to provide a vehicle or vehicles to meet the booked requirements the Company will take all reasonable measures to provide a replacement or alternate solution. If this is not possible, the Company has the right to return all monies paid and, without liability, cancel the contract providing the hirer as much notice as possible. The Company shall have no liability for any inconvenience or loss incurred and will not be liable for any direct, associated or consequential loss. The company is liable for the principal sum only less any costs incurred but the company towards the contract. No further claims can be made against the company for any direct, associated or consequential loss.