1. Application
These conditions apply whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing.
The hirer acts on behalf of all the passengers traveling 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.
2. Quotations
Quotations are given on the basis of the 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.
3. Use of the Vehicle
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 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 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 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. The calculation of any additional 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 must not load the vehicle beyond this capacity.
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% per annum above the base rate of Bank of England, calculated on a daily basis, from the date by which payment should have been made.
10. Sickness Onboard the coach
We reserve the right to impose a cleaning charge of up to £175.00 +VAT in any case of sickness.
11. Cancellation by Hirer
If the hirer wishes to cancel any agreement, the following scale of charges will apply in relation to the total hire charge.
|
NOTICE GIVEN |
CHARGE |
|
|
|
|
7 days or more |
Deposit |
|
3 - 6 days |
50% of hire |
|
1-2 days |
100% of hire |
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.
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 or other liability, cancel the contract.
13. Vehicle to be Provided
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.
14. 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 and in those circumstances the company will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience suffered by the hirer as a result.
16. Seat Belts
Seatbelts must be worn by passengers at all times.
17. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted under any circumstances.
18. Refreshment and Alcoholic 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.
19. Passengers’ Property
Unless previously agreed with the Company, the driver has discretion as to carriage of passenger’ luggage and its storage. The Company will not accept liability for any damage to or loss of any property which belongs to any passengers and is left in a vehicle. All articles of lost property recovered from a vehicle will be held at the depot for one month only at which the vehicle is based.
20. Conduct of Passengers
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.
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 1985.
21. 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.
Any infringements of these conditions could render your hire with SBC Leisure terminated without refund or compensation.
