Terms And Conditions

BRISTOL MINIBUS COMPANY LTD

Terms and Conditions

These are the conditions of hire of Bristol Minibus Company Ltd, (hereinafter called “the company”). They form the basis of the contract under which the company agrees to hire its vehicles to the customer (hereinafter called “the hirer”). 

1. Breakdown and Delays
The company gives its advice on journey time in good faith. However, because 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.

2. Liability for Injury 
The company will not accept any liability for damage, injury or loss for any passenger standing up or walking around the vehicle whilst in motion.

3. Use of the Vehicle 
The hirer cannot assume the use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor that will it remain at the destination of the hirer’s use unless this has been agreed with the company in advance.

4. The Use of Other Operators Vehicles
The company reserves the right to substitute other operators’ vehicles in place of its own for any journey or part thereof. 

5. Payment Terms
A one third deposit is payable at the time of booking. The balance of the hire charge is payable by ten days prior to the date of hire, unless other payment terms are agreed as stated . (The company reserves the right to decline to execute any work when the foregoing condition has not been adhered to, in which case the deposit becomes forfeitable by the hirer to the company).

6. Passenger Capacity and Seat Belts
No passenger may be carried more than the seating capacity of the vehicle and passengers must wear the seat belts provided at all times.

IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR ALL PASSENGERS TO WEAR A SEATBELT WHILST THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

7. Driver’s hours regulations
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.

8. 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, this includes “fouling” where a valeting charge will be made.

b) We do not permit alcohol on our vehicles

9. Cancellations . Cancellation by The Hirer 

a) For Cancellation more than 14 working days prior to the first day of the hire – the deposit paid, or 33% of the booking value is non-refundable
b) For Cancellation less than 14 working days prior to the first day of the hire – the cancellation charge to the hirer is 75% of the total  hire charge.
c) For Cancellation on the day prior to, the charge to the hirer is 100% of the total hire charge..
d) Upon cancellation, the hirer will also be liable to pay for any additional items or services that have been bought and paid for on behalf of the hirer in advance of the hire. For example, ferry services, theatre tickets, meals, parking permits, accommodation and guide services etc. Every effort will be made by the company to reduce this liability however all non-retrievable charges will be the responsibility of the hirer.

Please note if you fail to turn up for a booking, we will assume you have cancelled

Cancellation by the Operator
Once a booking is confirmed by the hirer, the Operator will never cancel a hire (as long as payment terms have been adhered to). In cases of extreme weather conditions or exceptional circumstances out of the Operators control, Bristol Travel will liaise with the hirer and make every reasonable effort to make sure the hire is completed.

10. Consumption of Alcohol
The consumption and or carrying of alcohol in the passenger compartment of company vehicles is strictly forbidden.

11. Returnable Additional Deposits
The company reserves the right to insist upon a returnable additional deposit being provided by the hirer in addition to the hire charge. This deposit will be returned to the hirer following completion of the hire provided that non-additional expenses were incurred by the company which were a direct result of the hirers, or his passenger’s actions.

12. No smoking / Vaping policy
Hirers should note that this company operates a policy of no smoking or vaping on all company vehicles. This policy will be strictly enforced. Would hirers please bring this condition to the attention of all passengers 
intending to travel on the coach.

13. Airport or Ferry Transfers
On collecting passengers from airports, ferry ports, etc., the coach will wait for one hour after the prearranged collection time free of charge. After that additional waiting time will be charged at the discretion of the company.

Please note that our quoted price allows for 1 hour waiting time on the return trip at the airport. If the flight is delayed more than 1 hour, we reserve the right to charge for additional waiting time

Having said that we obviously would wish to help you in any way possible in these bad situations you might find yourself in. Therefore, please be advised of the following.

a)     If you wish to change your outward booking details, please email [email protected] ASAP with requested changes. The operations team will review and respond accordingly. Please remember this is not always possible BUT we will do our best.

b)     On the inward journey, if you are advised of flight changes, please email [email protected] ASAP with requested changes. The operations team will review and respond accordingly. Please remember this is not always possible BUT we will do our best.

c)     On occasions you might not be aware of delays until at the airport. If this were to happen, please either ring your driver, who would have contacted you in advance, or ring 0117 450 2004. If the office is unmanned the answerphone will give you with an emergency number to ring. The duty Manager will then discuss the options with you.

d)     If no advice is received of lateness prior to landing, the above applies .  The driver will wait for 1 hour after the booked pickup time, and then maybe he will need to leave the airport as he may have had another job booked. If this were to happen, please contact 0117 450 2004. If the office is unmanned the answerphone will give you with an emergency number to ring. The duty Manager will then advise the earliest a vehicle could return.

Rest assured that we as a company will do whatever we can to help you in these times, however, please remember that sometimes there might be occasions when we cannot help. Even though these changes are not caused by you, please remember they are also not caused by us as a company. Should this arise, we will obviously provide a letter for your insurance company to facilitate any claims.

14. Fuel Price Increases
The company reserve the right to charge an additional amount should the cost of fuel increases by 10p or more a litre from date of booking to date of operation. The charge will be calculated at the rate of the cost price increase of the fuel in relation to the miles travelled.

15. Acceptance of Our Quotation
Implies acceptance of the above conditions.

16. Complaints
In the event of a 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 by calling our support staff on 0117 450 2004. If this has not provided a remedy, complaints should be submitted in writing and within 14 days of the termination of the hire. The company shall reply to any complaints within 48 hours of receipt of the same. Please contact our Private Hire Manager by email at [email protected]