Terms and Conditions

247 Coach Hire
Terms and Conditions of Hire

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 vehicle/s. The hirer is responsible for the actions and decisions of all passengers.
2. Quotations – Quotations are given on the basis of the most direct route. The route 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. Unless otherwise stated by the company the quotation will not include other charges such as admission or event parking. Quotations are valid for 14 days unless otherwise notified.
3. Bookings – All bookings must be confirmed in writing by the hirer by email.
4. Use of Vehicle – The hirer cannot assume use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor should it be presumed that the vehicle will remain at the destination for the hirer’s use, unless this has been agreed with the company in advance on the written confirmation.
5. Route and Time Variation – The Company reserves the right to levy additional charges for mileage or time other than that agreed. 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.
6. 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. The driver is allowed to be behind the wheel for maximum 15 hours a day (including breaks and other work) but driving time is only 9 hours ( maximum 10 hours twice a week). After 4.5 driving hours the driver needs to take a 45 minutes break. The reduced rest period between shifts needs to be at least 9 hours but no more than 3 times in a two weeks period. The normal rest period is 11 hours. Regular weekly rest is 45 hours or a reduced one of 24 hours (two days or one day off).
7. Seating Capacity – The Company will specify the legal seating capacity of the vehicle. The hirer must not load the vehicle beyond this capacity.
8. Conveyance of Animals – No animals (except guide or hearing dogs notified to the company in advance) may be carried without prior written agreement from the company.
9. Wheelchairs – Only foldable wheelchairs can be transported in the company’s vehicles.
10. Confirmation – Written confirmation by the company is the only basis for the acceptance of a hiring or for a subsequent alteration to its terms.
11. Payment – Full payment is required 7 working days in advance of the date of travel unless otherwise agreed with the company. Such payment is strictly non-refundable except in circumstances where the company, due to causes beyond its control, has to cancel the booking.
12. Terms of Payment and Transaction Fees – The Client is responsible for covering any transaction fees incurred during payments, including those arising from currency conversion or the use of different local accounts.
13. Deposits – In order to hold your booking, a 25 % non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking.
14. Cancellation by Hirer – Cancellations or changes must be made at least 7 days prior to travel. In case of cancellation for the coach/minibus hire and tours services, the following charges will apply:
    – if the cancellation was made with at least 7 days before the date of the travel the 25% deposit will be charged;
    – if the cancellation is made within 7 days of the booking a 50% charge will be applied of the service full price;
    – for cancellations in the day of the journey or in less than 48 hours prior the journey full booking amount will be charged;
    – for no-show situations, when the customer does not show-up at the pick-up, full booking amount will be charged.
15. Cancellation by the company – In the event of any emergency, riot, civil commotion, strike, lockout, stoppage or restraint of labor or 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 return all money paid and without further or other liability, cancel the contract.
16. Vehicle to be provided – While every effort will be made to provide an executive vehicle, sometimes such vehicles become unavailable. In such instances the company reserves the right to substitute other vehicles (including those of other operators) for all or part of the hiring.
17. Breakdown and Delays
    • The Company gives 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 the company will not be liable for any loss suffered by the hirer as a result.
    • Although we always consider live traffic conditions, if the driver cannot attend an assigned job due to unexpected traffic difficulties we will do our best to forward the job to one of our partner companies that operate in the proximity of the pickup location. Please note that in this case the responsibility for job fulfillment is shifted to the partner company and any further complaints should be addressed to them.
    • Every effort will be made by the company to ensure that vehicle(s) arrive on time and reach destinations on time. The company shall not be held responsible or liable for any delays (and/or arising consequential losses) that occur beyond its control. The company and its employees aim at running a reliable service for you and whether alternative options will be given and the client refuses, the company will not be liable for any loss
18. Waiting time and stop-on-the-way:
    • If the passengers are late for pick-up additional charges will apply as it follows:
      • £44/hour, £0.73/minute waiting time for the 19 seats minibus,
      • £67/hour, £1.11/minute waiting time for the coach
      • For airport pick-up, the clients have 30 minutes of free-of-charge waiting time after the established pick-up time. Only after these 30 minutes the additional charges will apply.
    • If the driver has to interrupt the journey and wait for the passengers, charges will apply as it follows:
      • £10 just the stop, without deviation from the route for the minibus
      • £15 just the stop, without deviation from the route for the coach
      • If the route encounters deviations because the passengers are asking the change of the route, mileage price will apply.
19. Passenger’s Property:
    • 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.
    • 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 on the vehicle. It is the hirer’s responsibility to minimize risk of loss when property is left unattended.
    • Lost property will be held at the company’s premises for one month after the hiring date. If the property is not claimed within one month the property shall vest in the operator who may dispose of it as he thinks fit.
20. Conduct of passengers:
    • The on-board staff is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times and may remove any passenger whose behavior prejudices safety. The hirer is responsible for any damage costs or unreasonable valet costs as so determined by the company which may be caused by its passenger’s actions during the period of hire. The Company reserves the right to recoup the costs for any damage via the Hirer’s credit or debit card.
    • Passengers are not allowed to get intoxicated on liquor, carry liquor or travel while on influence in the vehicles provided by 247 Coach Hire. If under influence the passengers will cause any type of prejudice or discomfort the client will be charged accordingly to the prejudice brought to the company.
    • 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, and the conditions of entry to racecourses as laid down by the Race Course Association Ltd. The hirer has to provide the details of a valid credit or debit card prior the journey as a security method in case the company will suffer any loss during the journey.
21. Complaints – In the event of a complaint, the hirer should seek a solution at the time by asking for assistance from the on-board staff or from the company. If this has not provided a remedy, complaints should be submitted over the email at contact@247coachhire.com.
22. Notices – No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without the consent of the company.
23. Refreshments – Only food & beverages provided by the company may be consumed on the vehicle without prior consent from the company.
24. Surcharges – 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 UK and of 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.

25. Cleaning Charge – All vehicles are provided in a clean condition and ready for hire. If a vehicle is returned with excessive rubbish or soiled in any manner (e.g., vomit), we reserve the right to impose a minimum cleaning fee of £50 for minibuses ( between 9 to 19 seats ) and £100 for coaches ( between 20 and 55 seats ) to cover professional cleaning costs. Should the damage or soiling render the vehicle out of service, we may charge the hirer a minimum of £500 per day or part day that the vehicle is unavailable.

     

Last Updated: 08/07/14