Terms & Conditions O.C.T.O & Orkney Heritage Tours
These are the conditions of hire of Orkney Community Transport Organisation, (hereinafter called “the company”). These conditions form the basis of the contract under which the company agrees to provide transport and tour guiding services.
1. Group booking
If the customer books seats for a group, they are agreeing to be their representative. This means they are responsible for managing fees or fines in the case of damages caused by the group.
2. 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. In those circumstances the company will not be liable for any loss or inconvenience suffered by the customer as a result.
3. Liability for Injury
The company will not accept any liability for damage or injury for any passenger standing up or walking around the vehicle whilst in motion.
4. Supplying Coaches with Additional Seating Capacity
The company reserves the right to supply a larger coach than that ordered for any journey and in this event no additional charge shall be made to the customer.
5. Use of the Vehicle
The customer cannot assume the use of the vehicle between outward and return journeys, nor that it will remain at the destination of the customer’s use unless this has been agreed with the company in advance.
6. Payment Terms
Full payment is required to ensure a booking. Payment must be settled in full before the start of the hire.
7. Passenger Capacity and Seat Belts
No passenger may be carried in excess of the seating capacity of the vehicle and passengers must wear the seat belts provided at all times.
8. 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. The customer shall not 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 customer will be responsible for any additional costs incurred unless it is outside the control of the hirer.
9. Conduct of Passengers
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times and as such may remove any passenger whose behaviour prejudices safety. The customer is responsible for any damage they caused to the vehicle for the duration of the hire. If the customer booked for a group, they are responsible for managing fines if a member from their group causes damage.
10. Cancellation by The Customer
a. The company will charge 20% of total fare if the customer cancels within 3 working days of hire.
b. The company will charge full price to the customer if the hire is cancelled within 24 hours.
11. Refunds policy The customer will be refunded in full provided the tour is cancelled more than three days before the event. Refunds will be provided through the same method as the sale was carried out. This is unless a more suitable arrangement is decided through negotiation with the company.
12. Consumption of Alcohol
The consumption and or carrying of alcohol on board the vehicles is forbidden unless permission has been obtained from the company. The customer will be charged £100 if they are sick or disruptive due to consumption of alcohol.
13. Additional Charges
The company reserves the right to impose additional charges on the customer following completion of the hire if the passengers have left the vehicle in an unreasonably untidy condition or incurred damage or having required additional time or mileage which was not included for in the original booking.
14. No smoking policy
Hirers should note that this company operates a policy of no smoking 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.
15. Passengers’ Property and Lost Property
a. The company accepts any personal property of the hirer and their passengers on the understanding that the customer 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 customer’s responsibility to minimise risk of loss when property is left unattended.
b. The company will not be responsible for any damage to, or loss of, personal property left in vehicles, howsoever caused.
16. Acceptance of Our Quotation – Implies acceptance of the above conditions.