General Terms and Conditions

Coach Hire Comparison Limited Customer Terms and Conditions Dated January 2024 Version 1

By using the Coach Hire Comparison website you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (“Conditions”) in relation to Customers use of the website.

Please read the Conditions thoroughly before using the website. By doing so, you indicate that you accept these Conditions. Please refrain from using this website if you do not agree to these.

The website is operated by Coach Hire Comparison Limited, trading as coachhirecomparison.co.uk (“we”, “us”, “our”). We are registered in England and Wales under company number 8883045 and have our registered office at Suite 1, St. James Square, The Globe Centre, Accrington, BB5 0RE, England.

These conditions apply to the private hire of transport by providing coach and minibus hire services, not operating as a package, as defined by the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992.

1.    Interpretation

The following definitions and rules of interpretation apply in these Conditions.

1.1    Definitions:

Additional Costs: as defined in clause 5.4.

Authorised Representative: the individual appointed by the Hirer as its authorised representative in respect of the Contract. 

Deposit: 25% of the Charges.

Business Day: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England, when banks in London are open for business.
Cancellation Charges: as defined in clause 6.1

Charges: the charges payable by the Hirer for the supply of the Services in accordance with clause 5.

Code of Practice: the current version of the Supplier’s ‘code of practice for serving disabled customers’ 

Commencement Date: has the meaning given in clause 2.2.

Company: CHC Ltd 

Conditions: these terms and conditions as amended from time to time in accordance with clause 12.5.

Contract: the contract between the Company and the Hirer for the supply of Services in accordance with these Conditions.

Control: has the meaning given in section 1124 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, and the expression change of control shall be construed accordingly.

Hirer: the person or firm who purchases the Services from the Company.

Hirer Default: has the meaning set out in clause 4.2.

Hirer Materials: means all documents, drawings, information, items and materials in any form, whether owned by the Hirer or a third party, which are provided by the Hirer to the Company in connection with the Services. 

Intellectual Property Rights: means patents, utility models, rights to inventions, copyright and neighbouring and related rights, moral rights, trademarks and service marks, business names and domain names, rights in get-up, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off or unfair competition, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets), and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world.

Order: the Hirer’s digital, written or oral confirmation that it accepts the Quotation. 

Passenger: a person travelling on the Services.

Quotation: the description or specification of the Services provided by the Company and/ or Supplier to the Hirer.

Services: the services, supplied or to be supplied by the Company and/ or Supplier to the Hirer as set out in the Quotation.

Supplier: Any approved Operator under the CHC On Boarding process 

Vehicle: means any vehicle used in the provision of the Services

Vehicle Specification: defines the passenger capacity and facilities on a vehicle

1.2    Interpretation:

(a)    A reference to legislation or a legislative provision:
     (i)    is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time; and
     (ii)    shall include all subordinate legislation made from time to time under that legislation or legislative provision.
(b)    Any words following the terms including, include, in particular, for example or any similar expression, shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms.
(c)    A reference to writing or written includes email or Digital communications. 
(d)    Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural and in the plural shall include the singular.

2.    Basis of contract

2.1    The Order constitutes an offer for the Hirer from the Company to purchase Services in accordance with these Conditions.

2.2     The Order shall only be deemed to be accepted when the Company issues written confirmation that it accepts the Order at which point and on which date the Contract shall come into existence (Commencement Date).

2.3     Any samples, drawings, descriptive matter or advertising issued by the Company , and any descriptions or illustrations contained on the Company’s website, are issued or published for the sole purpose of giving an approximate idea of the Services described in them. They shall not form part of the Contract or have any contractual force. 

2.4     These Conditions apply to the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms that the Hirer seeks to impose or incorporate, or which are implied by law, trade custom, practice or course of dealing.

2.5     Any Quotation given by the Company or Supplier shall not constitute an offer, and is only valid for a period of 3 days from its date of issue.

3.    Supply of Services

3.1    The Company shall use reasonable endeavours to:

(a)    Supply the Services to the Hirer in accordance with the Contract in all material respects; 
(b)    Meet any performance dates as set out in the Contract, but time shall not be of the essence for performance of the Services;
(c)    Ensure that the Services will be provided using reasonable care and skill; and
(d)    Provide the vehicles as specified in the Contract with the correct specification or higher. All photos are for illustrative purposes only.

3.2    Notwithstanding clause 3.1, the Company  shall be entitled to substitute another Supplier or Vehicle or provide multiple Vehicles to provide all or part of the Services subject to such substitute Vehicle being of at least equivalent quality to the Vehicle specified in the Quotation. Such substitute may include two single deck Vehicles for a double deck Vehicle.

3.3    The Company reserves the right to amend the Contract if necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulatory requirement, or government guidance and/or industry practice if the amendment will not materially affect the nature or quality of the Services, and the Supplier shall notify the Hirer in any such event.

3.4    If the Company or any Supplier provides a larger Vehicle than specified in the Quotation, the Supplier shall be entitled to change to a larger vehicle.

3.5    The Company shall be entitled to modify itineraries to conform with requests from competent authorities both within the UK and abroad.

3.6    Where Vehicles are wheelchair accessible, the Supplier will provide assistance in accordance with their Code of 
Practice.

4.    Hirer’s obligations

4.1    The Hirer shall:

(a)    Ensure that the terms of the Order and any information it provides are complete and accurate, including but not limited to if the use of vehicle is for a football match, festival, rally;
(b)    Any changes to the requirements by the Hirer must be in writing  by email and are subject to availability. Changes may incur additional costs and if outside 1 week (7 days) prior to service will incur a £25.00 admin fee;
(c)    Any changes to the requirements by the Hirer must be in writing  by email and are subject to availability. Changes may incur additional costs and if inside 1 week (7 days) prior to service  will incur a £50.00 admin fee;
(d)    Co-operate with the Company in all matters relating to the Services;  
(e)    Agree that no access to vehicle between outward and return journey unless agreed;
(f)    Provide the Company, its Supplier’s, employees, agents, and subcontractors, the right of access at no charge for the Vehicle and driver(s) onto such premises and other facilities as reasonably required to  perform the Services;
(g)    Be responsible for providing a suitable location to stop to allow Passengers to board and      disembark the Vehicle safely; 
(h)    Provide the Company and Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier may reasonably require in order to supply the Services, and ensure that such information is complete and accurate in all  material respects;
     (i)    Comply with any additional obligations as set out in the Quotation; 
     (j)    Be responsible for the acts and omissions of the Passengers;
          (a)    Ensure that all Passengers wear seatbelts whilst travelling on the Vehicle  The only exceptions to this requirement are when Passengers are using toilet facilities, or where the Passenger has a valid seat belt exemption certificate.  Where a Passenger has a seat belt exemption certificate, the Hirer shall be responsible for ensuring that the Passenger does not sit  in any of the front  seats of the Vehicle for Passenger safety reasons;
          (b)    Ensure that all children who are legally required to travel in a car seat, travel in a car seat provided by the Hirer or the Passenger;
          (c)    Ensure that each car seat provided by the Hirer or any Passenger complies with applicable laws  and regulations and is properly installed and used;
          (d)    Ensure that no animals (other than assistance dogs) come on any Vehicle without prior written  agreement of the Supplier;
          (e)    Be responsible for ensuring that Passenger capacity levels do not exceed the level notified to the Company at the time of booking;  
          (f)    Ensure that no bill, poster or notice is displayed on any Vehicle without the written consent of the Company and/ or Supplier;  
          (g)    Ensure that Passengers arrive at the correct departure point with the correct documents and on time to board Vehicles in accordance with timings provided by the Company or Supplier; 
          (h)    Ensure that for all overseas journeys, Passengers shall have with them when boarding the Vehicle a passport, and any other required travel documentation,  which is valid for the journey to be undertaken and any return journey;  
(i)    Ensure that Passengers do not behave in a manner that is or is perceived to be, abusive or threatening to any other person or otherwise in a disorderly way. Where Passengers do behave in such a manner, the Company, Supplier or its representatives shall be entitled to remove the Passenger;
(j)    Ensure that Passengers shall not smoke (including substitute smoking materials such as electronic cigarettes) onboard the Vehicle;
(k)    Ensure that Passengers shall not consume any alcoholic drinks onboard the Vehicle unless   otherwise agreed in writing with the Company;
(l)    Ensure that all luggage shall be less than 20kg in weight and any item which is considered to be unsuitable by the Supplier or driver of the Vehicle by reason of its weight, size, shape or character, or which is fragile (and not securely packed) or perishable or in liquid form (and not securely sealed) shall not be allowed on the Vehicle and that each Passenger accepts that the Supplier or the driver of the Vehicle has absolute discretion as to what luggage may be allowed  Supplier or the driver of the Vehicle has absolute discretion as to what luggage may be allowed  on the Vehicle;
(m)    Ensure that all luggage except hand luggage and small valuable items and important papers  or instruments creating legal entitlements shall be stored in hold. Small valuable items and luggage hold of the Vehicle under any circumstances but must be taken on board the Vehicle as hand luggage. Small valuable items include bank cards, money, medication, jewellery,  precious metals, laptop computers, hard drives, personal electronic devices and mobile phones, and important papers and instruments creating legal entitlements include negotiable documents, securities, business documents, passports, visas, tickets and identification  documents.  All items including small valuable items and important papers or instruments creating legal entitlements will be carried on the Vehicle at the Passenger’s own risk and must  not be left unattended by the Passenger.  The Company and Supplier shall have no liability for any loss or damage occurring to any valuable item placed in the hold of the Vehicle for any reason whatsoever;
(n)    Ensure that all luggage shall be packed safely and securely by Passengers and locked to protect   from loss, damage and interference. Luggage must also be properly labelled with contact details;
(o)    Ensure that Passengers take with them all luggage and other property belonging to them at the end of the journey. The Company or the Supplier shall not be responsible for any property or equipment left on the vehicle. Any item of lost property will be held for a period of 1 month following the date of travel. Where a Passenger has failed to collect such left luggage within a month of date of   travel, the Supplier shall dispose of this. Passengers shall be responsible for collection of left   luggage from the relevant collection site as notified by the Company or Supplier; and

Ensure that Passengers do not bring the following prohibited items onto the Vehicles:
i.    Weapons;
ii.    Explosives;
iii.    Drugs(other than medicines for which the Passenger has a prescription or were  obtained over the counter);           
iv.    Caustic substances or solvents;
v.    Non-folding pushchairs/ prams;
vi.    Oversized sports equipment unless otherwise agreed by the Supplier;
vii.    Non- folding bicycles;
viii.    Any other items which are not permitted to be carried under the law of any country which the Vehicle may enter; or
ix.    Any items which in the opinion of the Company, the Supplier or driver of the Vehicle consider to be unsafe, or may cause injury, offence or damage to any persons or property, including items with sharp or protruding edges

4.2     If the Company or Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations under the Contract is prevented or delayed by any act or omission by the Hirer or failure by the Hirer to perform any relevant obligation (Hirer Default):

(a)    Without limiting or affecting any other right or remedy available to it, the Company shall have the right
to suspend performance of the Services until the Hirer remedies the Hirer Default, and to rely on the Hirer Default to relieve it from the performance of any of its obligations in each case to the extent the Hirer Default prevents or delays the Company or Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations;
(b)    The Company or Supplier shall not be liable for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Hirer 
arising directly or indirectly from the Company or Supplier’s failure or delay to perform any of its obligations as set out in this clause 4.2; and
(c)    The Hirer shall reimburse the Company  on written demand for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Company or Supplier arising directly or indirectly from the Hirer Default.

5.    Charges and payment

5.1              The Hirer shall pay the Charges for the Services to the Company. 

5.2    The Deposit  shall form part of the Charges and is non-refundable and shall remain payable in the event of termination or cancellation of Services. 

5.3    In consideration of the Deposit the Company shall provide the following:
(a)    A detailed itinerary including driver plan;
(b)    Confirmation of suitable pick up and drop off locations (confirmation of a suitable location based  on Hirer requirement); 
(c)    Confirmation of suitable routes following route risk assessments and reviews to ensure no access restrictions;
(d)    Allocate a suitably sized vehicle based on their requested number of passengers;
(e)    Vehicle details including vehicle facilities (e.g. Wi-Fi, toilets, tables etc);
(f)    If a subcontractor is to be used to perform the Services, identification and confirmation of the            identity of the subcontractor following engineering and safety checks;
(g)    Timings including any required stops to comply with driver legal rest periods; 
(h)    A named point of contact who will be available to assist with any query regarding the Services.

5.4    Unless otherwise confirmed in writing by the Company to be included in the Charges, the Company shall be entitled to charge the Hirer, and the Hirer shall pay immediately, for any expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company or Supplier in connection with the Services including the following additional costs and charges (the “Additional Costs”):
(a)    Hotel costs, subsistence and any associated expenses;
(b)    Extra costs for employing additional drivers due to acts or omissions of Passengers which cause delays to travel;
(c)    Tolls, ferry/ tunnel crossings;
(d)    Additional coach parking charges and Vehicle waiting charges;
(e)    Any costs associated with Vehicles that attract Ultra Low Emission Zone charges;
(f)    Increased fuel costs, currency charges, road tolls or taxes imposed by the governments of the UK and other countries which the Supplier experiences following the Commencement Date; and/or
(g)    Cleaning costs as a result of litter left on vehicles, vomit or other soilage spills;
(h)    Any other reasonable costs and expenses as notified to the Hirer

5.5    The Contract is formed on the basis the Hirer shall ensure that Passengers do not bring the following prohibited items onto the Vehicles:
i.    Weapons;
ii.    Explosives;
iii.    Drugs(other than medicines for which the Passenger has a prescription or were obtained over the counter);
iv.    Caustic substances or solvents;
v.    Non-folding pushchairs/ prams;
vi.    Oversized sports equipment unless otherwise agreed by the Supplier;
vii.    Non- folding bicycles;
viii.    Any other items which are not permitted to be carried under the law of any country which the Vehicle may enter; or
ix.    Any items which in the opinion of the Company, the Supplier or driver of the Vehicle consider to be unsafe, or may cause injury, offence or damage to any persons or property, including items with sharp or protruding edges

5.6    The Contract is formed on the basis the Hirer shall pay the Charges for the Services by the following payment  methods:
(a)    Online Payment – The Hirer shall pay the charges online via the website by securing the order with 25% deposit. The remaining charges will be due 14 days before travel commences; or
(b)    Invoice – The Company shall invoice the Hirer for the Charges (including the Deposit) on acceptance of the Order and the Hirer shall pay the full charges 28 days before travel or immediately if the date of travel is less than 28 days, if the Hirer cancels before 28 days and before any payment has been made they are required to pay the 25% cancellation charge as laid out below (6. Cancellation of Service) ; or
(c)    Account customer – The Company shall invoice the Hirer for the charges (including the deposit) on acceptance of the Order and the Hirer shall pay the full charges within the agreed credit terms
(d)    Telephone card payment – The Hirer shall pay the charges over the phone by providing debit or credit card information to the call handler. On acceptance of the order with the Supplier the Hirer will pay 25% deposit within 1 day, the remaining charges will be due 14 days before travel commences, unless travel is less than 14 days when payment of the full charges will become due within 1 day.

5.7    The Company may invoice the Hirer for any Additional Charges, or any Cancellation Charges at any time and the Hirer shall pay any such invoice immediately    

5.8    The Hirer shall pay each invoice submitted by the Company in cleared funds to a bank account nominated in writing by the Company, and time for payment shall be of the essence of the Contract.

5.9     All amounts payable by the Hirer under the Contract are exclusive of amounts in respect of value added tax chargeable from time to time (VAT). Where any taxable supply for VAT purposes is made under the Contract by the Company to the Hirer, the Hirer shall, on receipt of a valid VAT invoice from the Company, pay to the Company such additional amounts in respect of VAT as are chargeable on the supply of the Services at the same time as payment is due for the supply of the Services. 

5.10    If the Hirer fails to make a payment due to the Company under the Contract by the due date, then, without limiting the Company’s other rights or remedies under the Contract, the Hirer shall pay interest on the overdue sum from the due date until payment of the overdue sum, whether before or after judgment. Interest under this clause 5.11 will accrue each day at 6% a year above the Bank of England’s base rate from time to time, but at 4% a year for any period when that base rate is below 0%.

5.11    All amounts due under the Contract shall be paid in full without any set-off, counter-claim, deduction or withholding (other than any deduction or withholding of tax as required by law).

6.    Cancellation of Services 

6.1     Where Services are cancelled by the Hirer, the Hirer will pay the following cancellation charges (the “Cancellation Charges”) to the Hirer together with any Additional Charges which the Company has committed to or incurred prior to cancellation in respect of the cancelled Services: