Terms And Conditions
Please note: It is at the sole discretion of Compass Coaches to enforce, reduce, or waive any of the charges or fees outlined below. Any amendments to these terms and conditions agreed between Compass Coaches and the Hirer, in writing, will take precedence over the below, but will not be contrary to New Zealand law.
Quotations and Bookings
All enquires are held in our system as a quotation.
All acceptances of quotes must be received in writing.
By accepting the quote in writing, you guarantee you have the authority to confirm the booking on behalf of the group/organisation.
All Compass Coaches’ quotes are based on the most logical route unless otherwise requested.
Where itinerary (route and time) changes are made by the Client, Compass Coaches reserves the right to alter the quoted rate.
By accepting the quote, you automatically accept all terms and conditions.
Payment Terms
A deposit is required to confirm all hires and is non-refundable unless required by law.
Compass Coaches requires 50% of the quote as a deposit unless otherwise agreed.
It is only once Compass Coaches has received your deposit that we can confirm your booking.
Full payment is needed at least 7 days prior to travel unless otherwise agreed.
Compass Coaches reserves the right to cancel the service if payment has not been made as agreed, and proceed with the recovery of expenses incurred related to the booking.
If payment terms are agreed in writing, payment is expected no later than the due date.
If payment is late, a payment fee of 5% of the invoice or $100, whichever is the greater amount, will be added to your invoice.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the varied nature of our customers’ requirements, we aim to tailor our
cancelation policy to best suit all parties.
Unless otherwise agreed, the standard cancellation policy below will apply.
Cancellations received more than four weeks prior to your booking date will lose the deposit paid.
Cancellations received between one and four weeks prior to your booking date will lose the greater of your initial deposit or 50% of the total value of your booking.
Full payment is required for cancellations received less than 7 days prior to your booking.
If, however, we receive another booking for the day and time of your booking of similar value, we will refund any cancellation fees charged over your initial deposit.
Force Majeure
Compass Coaches shall not be liable for delay or failure to perform services due to acts beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to weather events, road closures, mechanical breakdowns, strikes, pandemics, or other emergency conditions.
In such events, Compass Coaches will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or provide alternative services.
Debt Recovery
Recovery of monies owed to Compass Coaches can be, at the discretion of
Compass Coaches to be internal or use a debt recovery company to recover costs.
If a third party is required to recover the due amount, then all associated costs will be passed to the customer.
Lost Property
We take no responsibility for any items left on our coaches; however, any items that are found will be kept in our office for seven days for safekeeping.
After this period, we reserve the right to donate or dispose of the items accordingly.
DAMAGE
INTENTIONAL DAMAGE
Passengers must treat all vehicles, equipment, and property with care and respect at all times. Any intentional damage, vandalism, or misuse caused to the bus, its fittings, or any associated property by a passenger will result in the organiser for the booking being held fully liable for the cost of repairs, replacement, or cleaning.
Compass Coaches reserves the right to remove any offending passenger from the service without refund and to seek recovery of all associated costs, including but not limited to repair charges, loss of income, and any legal expenses incurred.
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE
While the company understands that accidents may occur, passengers are expected to take reasonable care when travelling.
In cases where accidental damage, spillage, or breakage occurs due to a passenger’s actions, the company reserves the right to recover the reasonable costs of cleaning, repair, or replacement.
These charges will be limited to the actual cost incurred by the company and may be deducted from any security deposit (if applicable) or charged directly to the passenger responsible.
CLEANING
Depending on the hire, there is an expected level of cleaning. If a greater level of cleaning is required, you may be required to pay for this.
If a member of your group is sick on the bus, there will be a $500 plus GST cleaning charge.
Collection and Drop-off locations
Please inform us at the time of booking any specific locations for our vehicle(s) to arrive at; if none are given, Compass Coaches will choose the most logical location(s).
Please keep in mind that due to the size of the vehicle, your preferred location may not be viable.
Our Drivers are highly skilled and will aim to get as close and as safely as possible to your address, but many factors can impact how close our vehicle can get, e.g., parked cars, overhanging trees, and narrow streets.
In the event you are unable to see our Bus/Coach, our Driver will make contact with you to advise their location.
Departure Times
The pickup time booked is the planned arrival time of the vehicle booked.
Our drivers are given sufficient time to arrive at their destination on time and ready to depart; however, if there are circumstances beyond our control, such as but not limited to road closures, detours, accidents, or heavier-than-normal traffic, we cannot be held liable for these delays.
We will make every effort to inform you as soon as we are aware of any possible delays to our arrival.
Away Charters
Where an itinerary requires an overnight stay, all meals and accommodation will be covered by Compass Coaches and incorporated into the quote, unless otherwise agreed.
Where accommodation is supplied by the ‘Customer’, it must meet minimum
standard levels, being a single motel/hotel room with its own toilet and shower facility.
Compass Coaches does not permit their Drivers to share a room with Tour/Charter Leaders or Passengers.
Meals must be of an acceptable standard.
General TermS
Quoted rates are net rates in New Zealand currency ($NZD) plus GST unless
otherwise stated.
Payment, in full, is required prior to the departure of service unless by prior arrangement.
For any International Bank Transfers, all applicable bank fees will be charged to the hirer.
Credit Card Payments incur a 3.5% surcharge.
The rate charged is based on Pax numbers, distances travelled, and time incurred.
Any changes to the above on or before the day of hire by the hirer may result in the rate being adjusted accordingly from the original quote.
All bookings made must comply with the New Zealand Work Time Rules for commercial drivers.
These regulations state that a driver cannot be on duty for more than 13 hours before they must have a minimum 10-hour rest break.
The 13 hours include the time travelled to get back to or from our depot, or to and from a hotel.
Drivers must have a 30-minute break every 5:30 Hours of work (this is either driving or waiting at a location for you)
Our Drivers will ensure minimal disruption to your group at all times, but will not
undertake any service that will be contrary to the New Zealand Work Time Rules.
It is New Zealand law that if a Vehicle is fitted with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times.
Compass Coaches Drivers must comply with the Certificate of Loading (CoL) for the particular vehicle being used and cannot carry passengers contrary to the certificate.
The CoL states the total number of passengers allowed (seated and if allowed
standing) and this will be strictly enforced.
It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure the correct pax numbers are given to Compass Coaches at the time of booking and notify Compass Coaches as soon as possible about any increase to the total number of pax, which may result in amending the quote and/or our Driver denying passengers boarding that exceed the total stated on the CoL.
If there are no allowances for standing passengers on the certificate, then all
Passengers must be seated.
If there are allowances for standing passengers, all standing passengers must hold onto poles, handgrips, or other such fittings to ensure their own safety at all times.
Compass Coaches’ Drivers cannot agree to the requested itinerary changes without prior approval from Compass Coaches’ operations/ management team.
The company reserves the right to substitute alternative equipment at its option in the event of unanticipated circumstances that necessitate a change.
At all times, there is to be no smoking or Vaping on the Bus/Coach by anyone
onboard.
No Alcohol is allowed to be consumed on the Bus/Coach by anyone on board.
No dangerous goods are allowed anywhere on the Bus/Coach. This includes the luggage storage area on our Coaches.
Compass Coaches’ Drivers are responsible for the safety of the vehicle and therefore have the final say as to whether it is safe for the vehicle to travel parts of the itinerary.
All Passengers must comply with all reasonable requests from the Driver.
Compass Coaches cannot be held responsible for any loss, injury, or damage
resulting from any activity associated with the charter.
This includes, but is not limited to: loss, injury, or damage as a result of civil disturbances, acts of terrorism, theft, road closure, itinerary changes, adverse weather, natural disaster, or any costs associated with late arrival to drop off locations.
Compass Coaches cannot be held responsible for damaged luggage, luggage left behind on the vehicle, or theft of luggage that is directly the result of passenger interference.
All vehicles are maintained in accordance with New Zealand Transport regulations and Certificate of Fitness Standards.
All drivers hold the appropriate level of licence and have the correct endorsement to carry out the service.
Compass Coaches Drivers reserve the right to refuse to carry anyone who chooses to break any of the obligations outlined in these Terms and Conditions and will not be held liable for any costs the person or persons incurred.