Hereon Northern Star Coach Hire will be known as the company. It will be deemed that The Hirer acts on behalf of all the passengers travailing on the vehicle/s and accepts full responsibility by himself/herself for every person in his / her party and fully agrees to the conditions of hire whether a contract has been made verbally or in writing. The company will only accept instructions from the hirer, if the hirer is not going to travel with the party, the company recommends a representative is chosen and the company is informed prior to the hire taking place. If this is not done, then the hirer must assume responsibility as follows:
1. Parking Fees. All parking fees are to be paid by the customer.
2. Route and Time Variation. Quotations are given on the basis of the most direct route and on initial information provided by the hirer at the time of the enquiry. The route used will be at the discretion on the Company unless it has been particularly specified by the hirer (in which case it will be clearly shown on the confirmation). The Company reserves the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time than that agreed. All collection times and departure times are to be adhered to at all times unless agreed otherwise with the Management (not the driver). 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. A maximum time of twenty minutes will be allowed if the customer is late. Then the vehicle will pull off the job to meet other transport deadlines.
3. Use of Vehicle. The quote is for coach and driver only and is based on the details advised to us at the time of your initial enquiry and doesn’t include parking, drivers accommodation, drivers meals, etc unless stated otherwise. The hirer cannot assume use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor to remain at the destination for the hirers use unless this has been agreed with the company in advance. All personal possessions must be taken off the vehicle.
4. Payment. Any deposit requested must be paid by the date stated, and payment in full must be made before the start of the hire unless otherwise agreed by the Company, failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the hire and all deposits will not be returnable. The Company reserves the right to add interest of 2% compound interest per month, after the date by which payment should have been made. All jobs over £100 require a deposit of £50 to secure the booking and the remainder must be paid 14 days before departure.
5. Breakdowns. Every effort is afforded to ensure the serviceability of the vehicles. In the event of mechanical failure of a vehicle during a journey, a replacement vehicle will be issued at the earliest opportunity. No refunds will be given what so ever. No monies will be given for loss of ticket costs and travel expenses of any sort. If the vehicle has to be changed prior to the booking for whatever reason a similar or alternative vehicle will be supplied at the discretion of the company. If this is unsatisfactory and the hire has cancelled a refund will be given.
6. Smoking/Alcohol/Drinks/Drugs. From the 1st July 2007, it has been against the law to smoke on board a coach. Anybody caught smoking may be subject to a fixed penalty notice and a fine up to £200 this includes Vapour-cigarettes. The sensible consumption of alcoholic drinks is permitted during a private hire of a Northern Star coach with the exception of designated sporting events (see note below) or any hire crossing the border into Scotland, where alcohol on board a private hire vehicle is prohibited by law. However, if the driver feels that the behaviour of an individual(s) is becoming unacceptable in terms of becoming a nuisance to other passengers, the driver or other employees of Northern Star Coach Hire, or a threat to the safe operation of the private hire, we reserve the right to request no further consumption of alcohol for the remainder of the private hire. In the worst case, we/the driver reserves the right to halt until the individual(s) concerned is removed from the vehicle. It is the responsibility of the hirer to monitor the sensible consumption of alcohol during the private hire however the driver will have the final say in the matter.
Designated Sporting Events
Section 1 (1) of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, as amended by the Public Order Act 1986 prohibits the carriage of alcohol on a PSV that is being used for the principal purpose of carrying passengers for the whole or part of a journey to or from a designated sporting event. A “designated sporting event” generally means any association football match, whether national or international. The full legal definition of “designated sporting events” may be found in the Sports
Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation Order) 1985, as amended by SI 1520/1987. Food & Drink, Chewing Gum, Illegal Substances are not permitted on the vehicle. Failure to comply with any of the above will result in the driver asking passengers or the party to leave the vehicle.
7. Abuse. Any passengers causing abuse either verbal or physical to any other person including passengers, members of the public or the driver, they will be asked to leave the vehicle and the
Police will be informed immediately.
8. Damages to Vehicle. The Hirer shall be fully responsible and liable for any damage caused inside or outside the vehicle by the Hirer or any member of his / her party however caused. This includes incitement to ANY third party, which results in damage to the vehicle or its contents. The Hirer will agree to be liable for the total retail cost of the repair, and the location of the repairer will be determined by the Company. In addition, The Hirer will be liable to pay the Company a fixed daily rate (determined by the Company) while the vehicle is out of commission for such repairs, plus any further incurred losses i.e. by lost bookings.
9. Notices. No Bill, poster or notices is to be displayed on any vehicle without obtaining permission from the Company.
10. The Drivers Rights. The driver reserves the right to refuse admission to any person/s who he/she considers unfit to travel in the vehicle for whatever reason. They can also refuse to continue the journey if any person behaves in a manner which may be detrimental to other people, or the vehicle and its contents. In this event, no refund will be given.
11. Luggage. All vehicles hired in by the Company are subject to restrictions on carrying luggage for statuary safety reasons. The hirer accepts that the driver shall be the sole judge as for whether and to what extent, passengers property is carried, and the hirer should take all steps to notify the Company in advance of such requirements. All luggage must be kept in the boot or side lockers on coaches. Hand luggage only is allowed in the vehicle. Walkways must be kept clear at all times in case of an emergency.
12. Delays. The Company gives its advice on journey time in good faith. However, as a result of any delays caused by traffic 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. At the discretion of the management, part refunds may be issued in the case of severe delays caused by Northern Star Coach Hire.
13. Cancellation.
a) If the hirer wished to cancel their booking this will result in the customer losing their deposit. 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 HIRE 21 days or more 11-20 days
1-2 days
3-10 days
Day of Hire
The arrival of the coach at the departure point
CANCELLATION CHARGE None
10% of hire, 25% of hire, 50% of hire Minimum 85% of hire 100% of hire.
Any purchases made by the Company at the request of the hirer will be charged to the hirer, plus any administration charges incurred by the Company this can include: accommodation, meals, entrance fees, catering, etc.
b) Cancellation by the Company. In the event of any emergency, riot, civil commotion, strike, lockout, 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 action to vary agreed conditions unilaterally, the Company may, by returning all money paid and without further or other liability, cancel the contract.
12. A valeting charge of £100 will be levied, through misuse by The Hirer from food, drink or illness, or whatever the retail cost may be if in excess of this amount to rectify said damage caused.
13. Personal Possessions. Northern Star Coach Hire will not be held responsible for personal possessions left on the vehicle. Any articles of lost property recovered from the vehicle will be held at the Companies premises for a period of ONE month where the vehicle is based. Any monies incurred by the Company to return items will be charged to the Hirer this can include administration fees.
14. The Company reserves the right to alter prices prior to accepting your reservation.
15. Any attractions/hotels etc. mentioned are suggestions only and organisers should make their own enquiries as to the suitability of such destinations. The Company accepts no responsibility for costs incurred or for the quality of service received at such venues.
16. Seat Restrictions. All our vehicles are fitted with SEATBELTS for the safety of our passengers. It is, therefore, our strong recommendation that each passenger must wear a seatbelt until they have reached their final destination point and the vehicle is parked.
17. Customer Feedback/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. If this has not provided a remedy, complaints should be submitted in writing and within 14 days of the termination date of hire. We guarantee to acknowledge any such correspondence within 3 days and provide a full reply normally within 10 days. We welcome customer feedback on all our services so we can make constant improvements to our services. Should you ever find a reason to complain please contact our office on 01942 247703.