Great Days Out for Groups - Discover Northern Ireland

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HOW TO... book a coachChoosing which coach operator to use can be a dauntingprospect but it’s one of the most important elements forthose involved in organising group travel.Starting pointHiring a coach is a vital part of arranginga group trip for all group organisers.It might seem a simple task but actually,there’s a lot to consider and discerningorganisers do not choose a coach onprice and seating capacity alone.There are many different companieswith different vehicles and differentprices but there are a few things youshould consider before making yourfinal decision. The standard of service,and the quality of vehicles and drivers,can make all the difference.It is important that you choose transportoperators for the right reasons. A goodoperator is easy to contact and respondspromptly in a friendly approachable manner.They have knowledge and experience andare happy to advise on travelling times,comfort stops and other options.It is therefore essential that you choosethe right operator for your needs andestablish a clear line of communicationto ensure your requirements are metand any problems quickly resolved.Once you have developed a relationshipwith a coach operator, it is often the casethat you’ll stick with them. They come tounderstand your needs and you can relyon expectations being fulfilled. Having aregular driver who knows and understandsyour group can be important, but you mayalso find that one operator is more suitablefor one day trip, while another has provenexperience in tours abroad. Shoppingaround for prices gives you a basis forcomparison and will also influence yourpurchasing decision.Which operator?There are dozens of coach operatorsthroughout Northern Ireland, but a goodplace to start is to search through themembers of the Federation of PassengerTransport (FPTNI), Northern Ireland’strade association for the coach and busindustry. FPTNI members conform tovery high standards and have a strictcode of conduct.The following is a checklist of itemsyou should look for when hiringan operator:• A copy of a current Operators Licence- Road Service Licence.• Insurance - Motor Fleet, Publicand Employers liability and whereappropriate, Tour Operator liability.• The company’s reputation.• Driver - NI Access Vetting.• Well maintained vehicles withseatbelts which comply with latestsafety standards and are presentedin a clean and safe condition.• Maintenance Standards.• Easy to contact.• Prompt response.• FPTNI Member.• A 24-hour helpline to be usedin case of emergency.• In the event of a complaint the operationof a formal complaint procedure todeal effectively and quickly with anyclient dissatisfaction.• Membership of trade organisations,or organisations like the Coach TourismCouncil, will also show that an operator iscommitted to certain standards of service.Buying a packageIf you are looking to buy a package from acoach operator (which, for instance, wouldinclude overnight accommodation andtransport) then you must make sure thatthey meet the requirements of the PackageTravel Regulations, either in terms ofbonding, insurance or a trust account.The following informationmust be included in any brochure:• A clear statement of legal identityof the operator.• The means of travel, destination,the itinerary with dates and timesof day, and the date of departure.• The nature of accommodationand meal facilities offered.• A total price, or at least a breakdownof the components that make up thetotal price, with a clear statement ofwhat is included and what is not.• A statement of the booking procedureand conditions.• Details of any insurance facilities.Types of coachVehicles are now high specification,comfortable and very valuable, often worthin excess of £200,000 each.The type of coach that you require can alsoinfluence your decision. For instance, you mayhave a smaller group and require a 27 seatermidi-coach.Nowadays, regardless of size, most coachescome with facilities such as onboard DVDplayers, GPS satellite navigation, extra legroomand reclining seats. Coaches are now allowedto be longer in length and many companieswill have vehicles over 14 metres to cope withlarger groups. It all depends on your budgetand your group’s expectation of comfort.Other factors also need to be taken intoconsideration, including if there are hot drinksfacilities on board and who would be liable ifthey were spilled whilst being served, as well asthe legal rules on alcohol on board a coach.258 259
Special needsIf your group includes the very young,elderly or people with disabilities,you need to ensure that the company canprovide appropriate vehicles and arrangestops at places where their needs can bemet. From 2006, new seatbelt laws havebeen introduced in the UK that requirepassengers to wear safety belts if available.So certain requirements need to be paidattention to, along with issues such as thelocation of emergency exit points. Theseare all subjects that should be discussedand worked out with your coach operatorbefore you embark on a journey.Once bookedOnce you have booked a coach operator,it is important to ensure that the operator isclear on the identity of the group organiser,as this person will be required to manage thegroup, including ensuring the adherence ofinstructions on times of departure. It is alsoimportant to confirm and agree informationsuch as the itinerary, which should include amutual understanding as to when the driverwill take legal rest breaks.Coach parkingAlthough your coach operator can takecare of coach parking arrangements,it is useful to know where to getinformation on this and how to bookas well as whether parking fees willbe included in the price you are quoted.For more information contactthe Federation of Passenger TransportNorthern Ireland Ltd.Federation of Passenger TransportNorthern Ireland Ltd (FPTNI)Ecos Centre,Broughshane Road,Ballymena,Co. Antrim,BT43 7QA.T: (028) 2563 8938M: 07525 908714F: (028) 2563 2957W: www.fptni.orgFor a full list of FPTNI members, please visitwww.fptni.orgMcMillan Travel12 Mullan Road, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim,BT53 7EDT: (028) 2766 6989E: info@mcmillantravel.comMcCombs Executive TravelUnit C, Loughside Industrial Estate, DarganCrescent, Co. Antrim, BT3 9JBT: (028) 9077 7440E: info@mccombscoaches.comUlsterbus ToursEuropa Bus Centre, Belfast, Co. Antrim,BT12 5AHT: (028) 9033 7004E: ulsterbus.tours@translink.co.ukCall-a-Coach15 Cumbria Lodge, Crumlin, Co. Antrim,BT29 4GET: (028) 9445 4141E: callacoach@btinternet.comLogan’s Executive Travel58 Galdanagh Road, Dunloy, Co. Antrim,BT44 9DBT: (028) 2765 7203 / 7431E: coaches@loganstravel.comRichmond Coaches39B Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim,BT27 2QTT: (028) 9262 2888E: info@richmondcoaches.comQuinn Coach Hire14 Cullenbragh Road, Poyntzpass,Co. Armagh, BT35 6SDT: (028) 3082 1439E: info@quinncoaches.comExecutive Travel Lynch22 Daisy Hill Park, Derry, Co. Londonderry,BT48 8EZT: (028) 7135 4013E: dessie@executivetravelandtours.comGlenshane Coach Hire11A Glenshane Road, Maghera,Co. LondonderryT: (028) 7964 2129E: info@glenshanecoaches.comCapital Coach Hire6 Needham Court, Kilkeel, Co. Down, BT34 4JQT: (028) 4176 5894E: info@capitalcoachhire.co.ukClassic Coaches57 Kilkeel Road, Annalong, Co. Down, BT34 4TJT: (028) 4376 8190E: enquiries@classiccoach.co.ukDownshire Coach Hire1 Meenan Road, Banbridge, Co. Down, BT32 3PJT: (028) 4062 5288E: info@downshirecoaches.comMcAnulty’s Yellow Line Coaches35 Church Street, Warrenpoint,Co. Down, BT34 3HNT: (028) 4175 2228E: hugh.mcanulty@btinternet.comNewcastle Coach Hire7 Tullybrannigan Drive, Newcastle,Co. Down, BT33 0TVT: (028) 4372 6159E: Ih.rogan@googlemail.comRJG Bullick71 Newry Street, Rathfriland, Co. Down, BT34 5PZT: (028) 4063 8006E: ronnie@rjgbullick.co.ukLakeland ToursEnniskillen Airport, Trory, Enniskillen,Co. Fermanagh, BT94 2FPT: (028) 6632 9900E: lakelandtours@btconnect.comAce Coaches2 Windmill Hill Road, Dungannon,Co. Tyrone, BT71 7BST: (028) 8775 3535E: acecoaches@msn.comJ & K CoachesUnit 2, Ardboe Business Park, Ardboe,Co. Tyrone, BT71 5BJT: (028) 8673 7776E: info@jandkcoaches.comLynch’s Coaches80 Castlefin Road, Castlederg,Co. Tyrone, BT81 7EET: (028) 8167 1344E: dergtaxis@aol.com260 261
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Great Days Out for Groups - Discover Northern Ireland

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