Terms and Conditions
These are available as convenient, easy to print PDF files. Please download the relevant document here:
Excursions & Tours Programme Terms and Conditions download PDF
Conditions of Private Coach Hire / Terms of Service download PDF
How to find our offices
Directions download PDF Location Map download PDF
Bus & Coach Buyer Article February 2008 download PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Excursions and Tours Programme
Here are just a few key questions which seem to pop up regarding our Excursions and Tours Programme
How do I make a booking?
Once you have selected the excursion of your choice and preferred date(s), please call us on 01255 688586 (Clacton shop) or 01206 252472 (Great Bromley office) to check availability and make your reservation.We accept all major credit cards for payments. Please ensure that you have full information about your party and your email address details to hand if you have one.Your confirmation and your tickets will be emailed to you, or put in the post as appropriate.
What does my ticket include?
Unless specified in the excursions information, your ticket is for travel by coach only.
We do not include entry tickets to attractions as we appreciate that many of our customers hold loyalty or membership cards (eg. National Trust / English Heritage) or may access voucher systems for discounted entry (eg. Tesco Clubcard vouchers, promotional 2 for 1 offers). Where possible we have included links to relevant website to help you access further entry ticket pricing information.
What happens if I am late at the pick-up point?
We ask you to arrive at your chosen joining point at least five minutes before the departure time indicated on your itinerary/ ticket. The coach driver is instructed not to wait for latecomers.
Do I have to wear a seatbelt?
Under EC Directive 2003/20/EC it is compulsory for all passengers over 14 years of age to wear seatbelts in coaches.
Can I take a wheelchair?
We are able to carry folding wheelchairs in the luggage compartment. Please let us know when you are booking your ticket.
Do I need a passport for a day trip or short break to the Continent?
Yes. Your passport must be valid for the date of travel.
I think I left my bag on the coach at the end of the trip…
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private Coach Hire
Here are just a few key questions which seem to pop up regarding Private Coach Hire
Can you explain the booking process ?
- Quotations
Quotations are given on the basis of the 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 be clearly shown on the confirmation.
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.
- 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.
- 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. The company reserves the right to add interest at the rate of 2% per annum above the base rate of Barclays Bank, calculated on a daily basis, from the date by which payment should have been made.
Is the price guaranteed?
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, taxed 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. The liability of the company will be limited to the cost of the hire and any ancillary services supplied.
- But what happens if the waiting time is changed?
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 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 hirer will be responsible for any additional costs incurred unless it is outside the control of the hirer.
What is your cancellation policy?
- Cancellation by Hirer
If the hirer wishes to cancel any agreement, the following scale of charges will apply in relation to the total hire charge.
|
NOTICE GIVEN |
CHARGE |
|
10 days or more |
Deposit |
|
3 – 9 days |
25% of hire |
|
1 – 2 days |
50% of hire |
|
Day of hire before arrival of coach at departure point |
Minimum 85% of hire |
|
At or after arrival of coach at departure point |
100% of hire |
The cost of accommodation, meals and theatre 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. (* or other such ancillary service)
Cancellation due to inclement weather conditions will be charged as above.
- 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.
What if I have special requests?
These need to be specified at the time of booking, and, we regret, cannot be guaranteed.
Can I amend my booking?
Minimal changes can generally be accommodated and no charge is applicable. However if the amendments change the structure of the hire, then extra charges may occur, chargeable at an applicable rate. Talisman Coach Lines shall deem the alteration to be minimal or not.
I am hiring the coach, but will not be travelling with the group on the day – is that a problem?
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.
If the hirer is not going to travel with the party, a representative must be chosen and the company informed prior to the hire taking place. The company will only accept instructions from the hirer or their nominated representative.
Where a copy of these conditions has been given to the hirer at any time, or the hirer has been advised verbally of all significant terms, the hirer may cancel the contract without liability to the operator within 48 hours of receiving these conditions. Otherwise, the hirer will be deemed to accept these conditions.
Can I take my pet on board?
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.
What is your policy on disorderly conduct?
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 caused to the vehicle by any passenger for the duration of the hire.
Please note :
Smoking is not permitted on any vehicle at any time.
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.
What happens if I am late at the pick-up point?
We ask you to arrive at your chosen joining point at least five minutes before the departure time indicated on your itinerary/ ticket.
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.
The company reserves the right to levy additional charges for additional mileage or time to that agreed.
Do I have to wear a seatbelt?
Under EC Directive 2003/20/EC it is compulsory for all passengers over 14 years of age to wear seatbelts in coaches.
Can I take a wheelchair?
We can carry folding wheelchairs in the luggage compartment. Please let us know when you are booking your ticket.
How much luggage can I take?
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.
I think I left my bag on the coach at the end of the trip…
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.
How do I complain?
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. The company will acknowledge all complaints within 14 days and will normally reply fully within 28 days.
talismancoachlines.co.uk
Listing of Photography Credits
We would like to extend our thanks to a wide range of tourism partners and organisations for their continued support. We make every effort to keep our listing of photo credits up to date and free of omissions.
Our partners include: Britain on View; Visit Norwich; East of England Tourism; St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Visit Kent Ltd; Barnsdale Gardens; VisitBrighton; Isle of Wight Tourism; Visityork.org; VisitBath; visitlondonimages/britainonview; Norfolk – Time to Explore; Sandringham Flower Show; Thursford; D. Martin
Xtrahead Marketing Thoughts http://www.xtrahead.co.uk/
Stone Productions Creative Limited www.stone-productions.co.uk
