1. Application
   These conditions apply whether or not a Contract of Carriage has been entered into as a result of a quotation being offered and accepted or whether a Contract has been made verbally or in writing.

2. Liability
   The Company shall not be liable for loss to the hirer or any of the passengers in the coach resulting from:

1. Stoppages of work howsoever caused, preventing performance of the contract hire.
    
2. Loss of, or damage to, luggage or any property which belongs to any passenger that is left in a vehicle unless such loss or damage is caused by any act or default of the Company. All articles of lost property recovered from a vehicle will be held at the depot at which the vehicle is based.
    
3. Breakdowns of the Company's vehicles.
    
4. Breakdowns of vehicles or ferries belonging to third parties.
    
5. The conditions of any vehicles, ferries or premises belonging to third parties.
    
6. The Company hereby limits its liability resulting from vehicle hire to the total cost of the hire.
    
7. Any delay caused by an Act of God or any other circumstance not under the Company's control.
    
8. Breakdown of onboard facilities (when provided) e.g. toilets, drink machines, videos, radio/cassette and public address systems.
    

3. Quotations
   Quotations are made subject to a vehicle suiting the Hirer’s requirements being available at the time of acceptance. Quotations are based on costs prevailing at the time and in accordance with details provided by the Hirer. Unless otherwise stated admission charges, meals, accommodation and parking charges for special events are not included in the price quoted. Quotations are valid for 28 days from the date of issue or for any other period specified in writing.

4. Confirmation
   Written confirmation by the hirer is the only basis for the acceptance of a hiring of a coach.

5. Payment
   On the Hirer confirmed with the Company then a non-refundable deposit of 10% is payable at the time of booking and the remaining balance will be invoice.

2. The remaining balance of the hirer you will receive an invoice at the end of the hire. Payment is due within 14 days of the date of invoice. The Company reserves the right to add interest at the rate of 3% above National Westminster Bank plc base rate in force at the time being, after the date by which payment should have been made.
    
3. Subject to prior arrangement with the Company, the Company will accept payment from a non-UK clearing Bank-by-Bank Transfer. Such a payment shall be the full sterling value of the invoice rendered. All charges, negotiation fees, interest or any other costs relating to the transfer of funds are to be the responsibility of the Hirer.

6. Cancellation by The Company
   In the event of any emergency or force majeure or of any action by the Hirer to vary agreed conditions unilaterally, the Company may, by returning all money paid and without further or other liability, cancel the Contract.
    
7. Cancellation by the Hirer

1. Should the Hirer wish to cancel any agreement, the Company reserve the right to apply the following scale of charges in relation to the total hire charge:
   
   Period before departure within Cancellation is received

• Amount of Cancellation charge shown as a % of Hirer
• From time of booking up to 7 days prior to date of hire 10%
• From 6 days up to 72 hours prior to date of hire 50%
• From 48 hours to 24 hours prior to hire 75%
• Less than 24 hours prior to hire 100%

8. Cancellation due to inclement weather will be charged at £50.00.
    
9. Should the Hirer have credit facilities with the Company and the Hirer cancels a booking, then the Company reserves the right to apply the above scale of charges to the account.
    
10. Route and Time Variation
    Should a vehicle be detained by the hirer or taken on a longer journey than that contracted for or times alter by the hirer over two hours, the Company reserves the right to make an additional charge commensurate with the costs incurred. In any event the vehicle(s) will depart at times agreed with the hirer and the Company will not be liable for any loss or injury sustained by any passenger who fails to join a vehicle at the appointed time.

9. Delays
   The Company gives advice on journey time in good faith but does not guarantee the completion of any journey in any specified time and will not be liable for loss, delay or inconvenience caused by the actual time of the journey.

10. Substitution
    The Company reserves the right to hire in vehicles from other operators also to provide a larger than specified vehicle at no additional charge, unless any seats are used. If extra seats are used an additional charge will be made pro-rata to the hire charge. The Company reserves the right to substitute other vehicles (including those of other operator(s)) or ancillary facilities for all or part of the hiring subject to such substitute, so far as possible in the circumstances, being of similar quality.

11. Agency Agreements
    Where the Company hires in vehicles from other operators and where the Company arranges ancillary facilities, such as meals, accommodation, ferries, admission, tickets or any other service 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 be binding on the Hirer as if he had directly contracted for such services.

12. Drivers’ Hours and Rest Periods

The hours agreed with the Company for the operation of any hire must be strictly observed (other than in the case of serious emergency or diversion) so that current regulations governing driver’s hours and rest periods can be complied with. The Company reserves the right to curtail or otherwise alter any hire that does not comply with the relevant regulations.

13. Driver’s Accommodation
    Unless agreed otherwise, in writing, driver’s accommodation (where applicable) must be provided and paid for by the Hirer. This should be single en suite accommodation including bed, breakfast and an evening meal.

14. Use of Vehicle
    Unless confirmed in writing by the Company the vehicle should not be assumed to remain at any point between the outward and return journeys nor to remain available for the Hirer’s incidental use when parked at such points.

15. Seating Capacity
    The Hirer must not load any vehicle beyond the number of passengers that it is legally permitted to carry. The Company reserves the right to supply a larger coach than is ordered at no extra charge. Should there be room to accommodate additional passengers, other than stated at the time of booking, the Company reserves the right to apply an additional charge.

16. On Board Facilities
    If needed, then a request by the Hirer for a toilet, drinks machine, video, radio cassette and public address system etc, should be made at the same time as the quotation is given.

17. Refreshments & Alcoholic Beverages
    Other than on a vehicle fitted expressly for that purpose, no food and drink, including alcoholic beverages, may be consumed on the vehicle without prior written consent from the Company.

18. Passengers Property
    The recommendation of the Department of Transport is that for safety of passengers each passenger is limited to a maximum baggage weight of 10 kilos per person. Unless previously agreed with the Company the driver is the sole arbiter as to the carriage of a passenger’s luggage and its storage. The Company will not accept liability for any damage to or loss of any property left on a vehicle by a passenger. All articles of lost property recovered from a vehicle will be held at the depot at which the vehicle is based for a period not exceeding one month, after which the Company reserves the right to dispose of the items.

19. Conduct of Passengers
    The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle. Any passenger whose conduct is in breach of statutory regulations may be removed from a vehicle or prevented from boarding on the driver’s authority. The Hirer will be responsible for the conduct of passengers and for any damage caused to the vehicle by passengers during the hire.

20. School Parties
    The ‘organiser’ shall be the Hirer and not the School. It shall be the absolute responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that the necessary arrangements have been made for the safe supervision and conduct, including the wearing of the seatbelts, of all students in the party. A member of staff must occupy the seat situated alongside the Emergency Exit at the rear of the vehicle.

21. Animals
    On a private hire no animal may be carried without prior agreement, in writing, of the Company.

22. Complaints
    Any complaint in respect of the Company’s services should be made in writing to the Company’s registered office as soon as possible and in any event within 28 days at the end of the hire.

23. Lost Property
    If any property is found on the coaches, it will be kept at the depot for a period of one month. Any lost property claimed must be collected from the depot or posted at the expense of the customer. Minsterley Motors Ltd does not take any responsibility for any lost property that cannot be found.

24. Notices
    No bill, poster or notice is to be displayed on any vehicle without the consent of Minsterley Motors.

25. Insurance
    Hirer and individual passengers are advised to insure themselves for those events not covered under the Company’s Policy, for example, delay and loss of luggage. The Company can arrange additional insurance cover on request.

26. English Law
    English Law governs this Contract.