BOOKING CONDITIONS - CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE


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 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. The company will only accept instructions from the hirer. If, after reading these conditions you do not wish to be bound by the terms and conditions, you have the right to cancel the contract - which must be made in writing within seven days to Wise Coaches Ltd, 74 High Street, Hailsham BN27 1AU.

2. Quotations
Quotations are given on the basis of the most 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 clearly be shown on the confirmation and acceptance.
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.
Quotations are given for coach and driver only. Any additional charges will be separately identified and will be the hirer's responsibility unless otherwise specified.

3. Use of Vehicle
The hirer cannot assume use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor for it to 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 than that agreed. The charges will be pro rata and in accordance with the formula of £40 per hour and £1.20 per mile.
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. Driver's 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 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. 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 Children / Animals
Children under three years of age must not wear a seatbelt. Children under the age of five years are allowed to sit on the lap of an accompanied adult at all times and as such are carried entirely at the risk of the accompanying adult.
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 at least 14 days before the start of the hire unless otherwise agreed by the company. The company reserves the right to add interest at the rate of 3% compound interest per calendar month, after the date by which payment should have been made.

10. Cancellation by Hirer
a. If the hirer wishes to cancel any agreement, the following scale of charges will apply in relation to the total hire charge.

DAYS PRIOR TO CANCELLATION CHARGE
COACH HIRE:

10 days or more None
6-9 days 10% of hire
3-5 days 25% of hire
1-2 days 50% of hire
Day of hire 100% of hire

b. The cost of accommodation, meals and entrance or travel 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.
c. Cancellation due to inclement weather conditions will be charged as above.
d. Theatre tickets, or other such ancillary service, once purchased are not returnable and must be paid for in full.

11. 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.

12. 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 will be made to the hire charge.
b. 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.

13. 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.

14. Agency Arrangements
Where the company hires-in vehicles from other operators at the request of the hirer and where the company arranges ancillary facilities such as meals, accommodation, ferries, admission tickets or any other services provided by another supplier, it does so as agent for and on behalf of the hirer. Any terms and conditions imposed by such other suppliers through the company shall, insofar as they are supplied to the hirer, be binding on the hirer as if he had directly contracted such services and the hirer shall indemnify the company against any loss, claim, damage or award in respect of a breach of such supplier's terms and conditions brought about by the hirer's action.

15. Package Travel Regulations
If the hirer organises other elements of a package in addition to the provision of transport, the hirer may be defined as an 'organiser' or a 'retailer' for the purposes of the Package Travel, Package Holidays, and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and as such may be required to comply with the provisions of those Regulations.
In this instance, the company cannot accept any liability that may be incurred for losses or damage that it would otherwise accept under the terms of those Regulations.
The hirer accepts responsibility for ensuring whether they are so defined, and the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage incurred that should have been the responsibility of the hirer if the hirer was the legally defined organiser or retailer.
Where the company acts as an organiser or retailer, it will issue separate conditions of trading relating to its liabilities and responsibilities under the Regulations.

16. Passengers' Property
a. 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. Large, bulky items may not be able to be carried, and the hirer should take all steps to notify the company in advance of such requirements.
b. 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 minimise the risk of loss when property is left unattended.
c. The company's liability for loss and damage, however caused, is limited to £500 per bag, case or package and an overall limit of £1000 (overall claim value) maximum per passenger. It is the responsibility of the hirer to ensure that items over this value are insured separately for loss and damage.
d. All articles of lost property recovered from the vehicle will be held at the company's premises where the vehicle is based, and will be subject to the current Public Service Vehicle (Lost Property) Regulations. The company will provide details of this legislation on request.

17. 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 or soiling caused to the vehicle by any passenger for the duration of the hire.
b. 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 as laid down by the Race Course Association Ltd. The company will provide details of these restrictions on request.

18. 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.

19. Notices
No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without the written consent of the company.

20. Refreshments 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.

21. Surcharges
Once a confirmation has been issued to the hirer, 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.

22. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Before you undertake a coach journey of more than 3 hours, you should consult with your doctor if you have:-

(a) Ever had DVT or pulmonary embolism;
(b) A family history of clotting conditions;
(c) An inherited tendency to clot;
(d) Cancer, or treatment for cancer in the past;
(e) Undergone major surgery in the last 3 months;
(f) Had hip or knee replacement within the last 3 months;
(g) Ever suffered from a stroke, heart or lung disease.

The following information is recommended by the relevant UK Health Departments:-

(a) Be comfortable in your seat.
(b) Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every half hour or so whilst seated.
(c) Press the balls of the feet down hard against the floor or footrest to increase blood flow in the legs and reduce clotting.
(d) Perform upper body and breathing exercises which can further improve circulation.
(e) Drink plenty of water.
(f) Drink alcohol only in moderation as it leads to dehydration and immobility.
(g) Avoid taking sleeping pills, which also cause immobility.

BOOKING CONDITIONS - HOLIDAYS

1. Wise Coaches reserves the unconditional right to refuse any booking for holidays or excursions.

2. To make a booking, you must pay the deposit applicable, or the full amount if your holiday is departing within eight weeks. Confirmation will be sent in writing. Coach seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and stay with you for the duration of the tour. Seat numbers are subject to change if, for example, we need to use a different size of vehicle. When seats are booked by telephone, then we must receive your payment within 7 days.

3. Balance of holiday costs must be paid no later than eight weeks prior to departure.

4. Wise Coaches reserves the right to cancel any tour due to circumstances beyond our control or insufficient bookings. If this should occur, we will return to you all the money you have paid to us, or offer you a suitable alternative.

5. If you wish to cancel your holiday, Wise Coaches requires notification in writing. The period before departure within which written cancellation is received, along with the amount of cancellation charge shown as % of holiday price is shown below.
Cancellation Charges
More than 42 days - Loss of deposit
42 - 29 days - 30% of holiday price
28 - 15 days - 45% of holiday price
14 - 8 days - 60% of holiday price
7 days or less - 100% of holiday price

You may be able to reclaim these charges if the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of the holiday insurance policy.

6. Wise Coaches reserves the right to increase or decrease the cost of the holiday due to changes in hotel costs, taxes, fuel surcharges or other costs where applicable. If this should occur, you have the right to cancel your holiday and either receive a full refund, or choose an alternative holiday, subject to availability.

7. Wise Coaches provide hotel brochure, luggage labels and an insurance policy (if required). Please read the Travel Insurance Important Notice. Admission charges are not included unless otherwise stated.

8. If you have a complaint during your holiday, please inform the relevant supplier (e.g. Hotel) and driver/courier immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If your complaint cannot be resolved locally, a written report must be handed to your driver/courier whilst in resort. Please follow this up within 14 days of your return home by writing to us, giving your booking reference number and all other relevant information. It is therefore a condition of booking that you communicate any problem to the supplier of the services in question and to your driver/courier. If you fail to follow this simple procedure we cannot accept responsibility as we have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify the problem.
9. A non-smoking policy is adopted on all our coaches.

10. Special requirements (special diet etc.) should be notified at the time of booking. Wise Coaches will endeavour to accommodate these requests, but cannot guarantee them.

11. The stated holiday itineraries are subject to slight variation. Hotel facilities stated are correct at time of going to press, but are subject to change. Any brochure or leaflet promoting tours is issued subject to applicable Acts of Parliament and Government Regulations and the company reserves the right to modify itineraries to conform with requests from the competent authorities in the United Kingdom and any other sovereign state through which the tours run.

12. We specifically advise passengers that before they undertake a coach journey of more than 3 hours they should consult their doctor if they have: (a) ever had DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism; (b) a family history of clotting conditions; (c) an inherited tendency to clot; (d) cancer, or treatment for cancer in the past; (e) undergone major surgery in the last three months; (f) had a hip or knee replacement within the last three months; (g) ever suffered from a stroke, heart or lung disease. The following information is recommended by the relevant UK health departments:- (a) Be comfortable in your seat (b) Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every half hour or so while seated (c) Press the balls of the feet down hard against the floor or footrest to increase blood flow to the legs and reduce clotting (d) Perform upper body and breathing exercises which can further improve circulation (e) Drink plenty of water (f) Drink alcohol only in moderation as it leads to dehydration and immobility (g) Avoid taking sleeping pills, which also cause immobility.

BOOKING CONDTIONS - DAY TRIPS


Wise Coaches Limited have the right to refuse any bookings. Animals will not be carried except Guide Dogs.

We reserve the right to cancel any departure due to insufficient bookings or for any other reason. If this should occur, we will return to you all the money you have paid to us, or offer you a suitable alternative.

To make a booking you must pay the full amount at the time of booking, or within seven days of reserving seats. If the excursion departs within seven days, cleared payment must be made before travelling. Coach seats are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. A travel ticket will be sent to you 7 - 14 days prior to departure.

If you cancel, no refunds will be made unless we are able to resell your ticket(s).

Children under the age of five are carried free of charge providing they do not occupy a seat and are accompanied by an adult fare paying passenger. In this case, the company must receive written confirmation of such, indicating that the parent(s) / guardian(s) accept full liability for the carriage of the child(ren) aged under five years.

We specifically advise passengers that before they undertake a coach journey of more than 3 hours, they should consult their doctor if they have:- (a) ever had DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism; (b) a family history of clotting conditions; (c) an inherited tendency to clot; (d) cancer, or treatment for cancer in the past; (e) undergone major surgery in the last three months; (f) had hip or knee replacement within the last three months; (g) ever suffered from a stroke, heart or lung disease.

Any return or destination points or times given are approximate and the company can accept no liability for lateness caused in any way.

It is the responsibility of the client to be at the designated departure points detailed on the travel ticket or advised by the driver / courier. Failure to do so may result in the client being left behind at extra cost to themselves.

Where services forming part of the excursions are provided by other persons, Wise Coaches Limited accepts no liability for the other persons non – provision of the service.