TERMS & CONDITIONS

CONDITIONS OF PRIVATE HIRE

Baldry’s Coaches will take every care to give you value for money and ensure that everything is done to the satisfaction of the hirer and their passengers. In your own interests you are advised to read these conditions which set out the principal rights and liabilities we owe to each other.

Application

These conditions apply whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing.

The hirer acts on behalf of all the passengers travelling. If the hirer is a company or other organisation, an individual must be named as a responsible person.

The hirer is responsible for all actions and decisions of passengers on board including any additional costs incurred, whether or not they travel with the party. We can only accept instructions from the hirer. If the hirer is not travelling a representative must be chosen and we must be informed prior to the hire commencing.

Quotations & Confirmation
Quotations are given on the basis of information provided to us by you, the hirer. The route used is at our discretion, unless particularly specified by you, in which case it will be clearly shown on the quotation.

All contracts of work accepted by the company must be confirmed by the hirer in writing via post or e-mail.

We accept a request to hire subject to the type or size of vehicle mentioned in any quotation or offer still being available at the date when your booking acceptance is received by the company.

Conduct of Passengers
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times. Should the driver at any time consider that a member or members of a party are behaving improperly then he may require that such an individual or individuals leave the vehicle. The hirer is responsible for the orderly behaviour of all members of the party and for ensuring that their conduct shall not be such as to cause annoyance to the public, damage to the vehicle or endanger safety to the driver or other passengers.

All vehicles are checked prior to departure for damage and cleanliness. It is the responsibility of the hirer to report any defects immediately to the driver. The hirer is responsible to us for any damage to the vehicle, its fittings or equipment caused through negligence, misconduct or any default of the hirer or that of any of the passengers carried and will be liable to repay to us any losses we reasonably incur as a direct consequence of that conduct.

Additionally, where the vehicle has been soiled due to the negligence, misconduct or any default of the hirer or that of any of the passengers carried and which, as a result, requires us to perform excessive cleaning to the vehicle to render it fit for hire, you shall be responsible for paying to us the reasonable costs we incur for such cleaning services.

On contracts whereby the company believes that the requirement for excessive cleaning may occur, the company shall request from the hirer, an additional deposit of £50.00. On satisfaction that no such cleaning or repair is necessary, the deposit shall be refunded in full to the hirer.

No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without our prior consent.

Where the hire is to a football match or other designated sporting event, the hirer should be aware of the legal requirements relating to alcohol, arrival times and the conditions of entry to race courses/grounds etc.

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol Etc.) Act, 1992 (c.57), specifically prohibits the carrying or consumption of alcohol on coaches travelling to or from designated sporting events.

It is an offence under the above legislation for a person carried on a public service vehicle travelling to or from a designated sporting event to be in possession of intoxicating liquor and/or to be drunk. Drivers and Company officials may search any bag, holdall or carrier to satisfy themselves that no intoxicating liquor is being carried. Passengers found in breach of the Act will be refused travel and no refund will be made.

Violent or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances and the driver retains the right to eject any passengers behaving in such a manner. The police will also be notified of any such circumstances.

Use of Vehicle
The hirer cannot assume use of the vehicle between outward and return journey, nor that the vehicle will remain at the destination for the hirer, unless previously agreed with us.

Drivers Hours

The hours of operations for the driver are regulated by law. Neither the hirer nor any passenger shall delay or interrupt the journey in such as way that the driver breaches the regulations. A driver in breach of these rules places in jeopardy both his own Passenger Carrying Vehicle driver’s licence (and hence his job) and the company’s Public Service Vehicle Operators Licence.

Route and Time Variation

The hirer may (subject to our agreement regarding route suitability and adherence to the Drivers’ Hours Regulations), extend or vary the route from that specified on the order. Such instructions, must be written and signed by the hirer and given to the driver. We reserve the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time so incurred.

The vehicle will depart at times agreed by the hirer, it is the responsibility of the hirer to account for all passengers at those times. We will not accept liability for losses incurred by passengers who fail to follow the hirer's instructions.

Vehicle to be Provided
At the time of booking the legal seating capacity will be specified. The hirer must not load the vehicle beyond capacity.

We reserve the right to provide a larger vehicle than that specified, unless specifically instructed not to do so at the time of enquiry. In such circumstances no additional charges will be levied. We reserve the right to substitute another vehicle (including those of other operators) for all or part of the hiring. Where this is necessary we will do our utmost to ensure the supply of a vehicle of similar quality.

Breakdowns and Delays
We give advice on journey time in good faith. However as a result of breakdown, traffic congestion, adverse weather conditions or other events beyond our reasonable control, journeys may take longer than expected. In the result of a breakdown, a replacement vehicle will be arranged by the company on the instruction of the driver at no additional cost to the hirer. In such circumstances we will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience caused to the hirer.

Passengers Property
Vehicles are subject to restrictions on carrying luggage for safety reasons. The hirer accepts that the driver shall be the sole judge as to whether or to what extent passenger's property is carried. Large items may not be able to be carried and the hirer should notify us in advance of any such requirements and additionally, it is the responsibility of the hirer to arrange the loading and unloading of weighty objects (eg. Battery operated wheelchairs, heavily laden shopping trolleys, heavy sporting equipment and large/ heavy suitcases). The driver’s decision is final on the acceptance of such goods being transported. We accept personal property of the hirer and their passengers on the understanding that we will take all responsible steps to avoid loss or damage. The hirer should notify us if items of exceptional value are required to be carried, these should also be brought to the attention of the driver at the time.

It is the hirer's responsibility to minimise risk of loss when property is left unattended.

Any passenger property found on the vehicle post hiring will be bagged and labelled and held by the company for 14 days. The company shall not be held responsible for any damage incurred whilst the property is in our possession. It is the responsibility of the hirer to arrange collection of any such lost property.

Refreshments and Alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the vehicle in any circumstances. At the discretion of the driver they may be carried in secured luggage space.

Other than on a vehicle fitted expressly for that purpose, food (except confectionery) may not be consumed on the vehicle without prior written consent.

Carriage of Animals
No animals (other than guide dogs notified to us in advance) may be carried on a vehicle without prior written agreement from us and payment of an additional deposit against cleaning.

Payment
Payment must be made in full before the start of the hire unless otherwise agreed by the company, or unless a credit facility already exists.

Cancellation by the Hirer

If the hirer cancels, the following scale of charges will apply:

Within 14 days - Full Charge of booking

14 to 28 Days - 50% of original booking

Over 28 Days - No Charge

Cancellation by the Company
In the event of circumstances beyond our reasonable control e.g. civil unrest, strikes, police road closures, terrorist attacks etc (including adverse weather and road conditions) or in the event of the hirer taking any action varying agreed conditions unilaterally, we may cancel the hire arrangement. In such event, we will endeavour to advise you as soon as possible of the cancellation. Our liability to you will be limited to a refund of all monies paid in advance for the price of the hire.

Complaints
In the event of a complaint the hirer should seek a solution at the time from the driver or company. If a remedy has not been provided, complaints should be submitted to us in writing within 7 days of the event.

Agency Arrangements
When we hire in vehicles or arrange other ancillary services, the terms and conditions imposed by such other suppliers through us shall (insofar as they are supplied to the hirer) be binding on the hirer as if they had been directly contracted services.

Package Travel Regulations
If the hirer organises other elements in addition to the provision of transport, then the hirer may be defined as an organiser or retailer for the purposes of the Package Tour Regulations. It is the hirers responsibility to comply with the duties set out in these regulations.

Baldry’s Coaches

Registered Office:  Leyllandi, Selby Road, Holme upon Spalding Moor, York, YO43 4HB