These General Terms of Transport provide the discipline of the general conditions of transport that the rental companies (hereinafter, the “Providers“) that Atlas Bus Rental (hereinafter, the “Company“) uses are required to apply uniformly to transport services provided in favor of end users (hereinafter, the “Users“), that is, those who use the actual rental service.

• Transport service price
  1. The price of the transportation service includes the rental of the vehicle, the driver’s labor, consumables (fuel, lubricants, antifreeze, etc.), tolls, and third-party transport insurance.
  2. Unless otherwise specified at the time of booking, the following are at the User’s expense:
     • driver’s meals and accommodation;
     • parking, ZTL passes, checkpoints, city taxes, ferries, tunnels, bridges, mountain passes and similar expenses;
     • Any changes in route or schedule that result in the Provider incurring costs in excess of those specified at the time of booking.
  3. With reference to the previous point, the Company undertakes to communicate to the User in advance all the expenses of which it is aware. It should be noted that some costs are established at a local level and therefore subject to periodic changes and not always foreseeable.
• Travel plan
  1. The travel plan is established based on the choice that the Supplier and Company deem to be the most economical and safe for both sides.
  2. The travel plan is agreed between the Company and the User at the quotation stage.
  3. For any changes during the course, the Provider’s authorization is required.
• Pick-up address
  1. It is User’s responsibility to ensure that the indicated pickup address allows for easy loading and unloading operations. In the event that the vehicle is unable to reach the requested pick-up location, the Provider reserves the right to modify the pickup address requested by the User with an address close to it.
• Name list of passengers
  1. The User is required to prepare the list of names of the passengers participating in the trip and undertakes to show it or to send a copy, if requested by the Authorities, the Company or the Provider.
• Driver’s phone number communication
  1. The driver’s phone number will be communicated by the Provider to the Company and then from the Company to the User the day before the trip.
• Group leader’s phone number communication
  1. The group leader’s phone number will be communicated by the Provider to the Company and then from the Company to the User the day before the trip.
• Cancellation of services
  1. More than 15 business days before the day of departure: no penalty.
  2. From 14 to 7 business days before the day of departure: penalty of 50%.
  3. Less than 7 business days before the day of departure: penalty of 100%.
• Exclusion of liability of the Company and the Provider
  1. The Company and the Provider cannot be held liable for any damage of any kind and/or nature suffered by the User as a result of the liability of the Company and/or the Provider in the event of any occurrence of force majeure or beyond their control.
  2. Similarly, no liability can be attributed to the Company and/or the Provider, and no reimbursement will be allowed from them, in the event of interruption of the journey or any delays that are always due to force majeure or beyond their control.
  3. By way of example only, an event of force majeure or beyond the control of the Company and the Provider could be:
     • variation of the planned itinerary, due to the closure of roads due to weather conditions, the closure of passes or roads due to snow, the execution of sporting events, demonstrations, obstacles, dangerous situations, or any other type of problem not attributable to them;
     • impossibility of continuation due to unforeseeable circumstances, roadblocks, strikes, lockouts, terrorist activities, natural or nuclear disasters, fire or severe weather conditions, unforeseeable transport problems, closure or jamming of ports and airports, accidents on the service route, unforeseen traffic, riots, technical problems or local disruptions;
     • technical problems or possible breakdown of the hired vehicle during the journey, except in cases of wilful intent or gross negligence on the part of the Provider. If a breakdown, technical problem occurs, and/or the transport has to be interrupted due to vehicle failure, the Provider undertakes to organise a replacement service to enable the User to reach the final destination, and will do its best to continue the service with the least possible inconvenience to the passengers. The cost of the replacement service shall be charged to the Provider.
  4. It is the User’s responsibility to plan their journey so that there is sufficient time to guarantee connections with other means of transport. Connections with other transport services not operated by the Company and/or the Provider cannot be guaranteed. The Company and the Provider are not responsible for failure to make connections with transport services provided by other transport companies, whether by land, sea, air or rail, whatever the cause of the delay in relation to the scheduled arrival time.
• Sub-contracting
  1. The Provider reserves the right, if necessary, to sub-contract the requested service, relying on qualified and reliable suppliers, in accordance with its Quality Management System.
• User’s duty to inform for “Risky Trips”
  1. It is the User’s obligation to inform the Company, in advance of the date of departure (at least 14 days in advance), about so-called “risky trips”. “Risky trips” are considered to be those that are a safety risk during the journey – for example: football matches, derbies, demonstrations – and where the presence of law enforcement officers can be expected.
  2. In the case of such a risky trip, the Company reserves the right to cancel the trip booked by the customer, or withdraw from the contract. If the cancellation/cancellation is made by the Company, the customer will be informed within a period of 14 days prior to departure.
  3. In the actual case of a risky trip not reported by the User as provided above, the Company and the Provider reserve the right (before, during) to cancel or terminate the trip. The User may not claim any compensation for damages, except in cases of wilful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Company and the Provider. All of the User’s claims shall be judged by the Company and the Provider.
• Repair or Cleaning Costs and Damage Claims
  1. The User shall be liable for the cost of repairing any damage or necessary cleaning work to the Provider’s vehicles and goods, if such damage and necessary cleaning work exceeds normal “wear and tear” (“Repair or Cleaning”).
  2. In the event that a Provider indicates a need for Repair or Cleaning, and such request for Repair or Cleaning is determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, the Company reserves the right to facilitate payment of the reasonable cost of such Repair or Cleaning on behalf of the Provider using the payment method indicated on its Website. Such amounts will be transferred by the Company to the Provider and are non-refundable.
  3. As a passenger, the User is responsible for leaving the vehicle in the condition it was at the time of departure. The User acknowledges and agrees that he/she is responsible for his/her own acts or omissions, as well as the acts or omissions of any individual who invites, or is otherwise allowed access to the vehicle. In the event that a Provider and/or the Company complains and provides proof of damage (“Damage Claim”), the User agrees to repay the cost of replacing the damaged items.
  4. It is up to the User to prove that the damage was not caused by him/her or that the amount of the damage is less than the amount charged.
• Luggage transportation
  1. Luggage will be accepted up to the luggage compartment capacity. The loading and unloading of luggage is exclusive responsibility of the user and passengers. There is no obligation on the part of the driver or other bus personnel to handle luggage.
  2. In the event of unexpected assistance by the driver or other bus personnel, this is purely an act of courtesy, but liability always remains with the User, except in cases of wilful intent or gross negligence. The luggage compartment of the vehicle must be opened and closed only and exclusively by the designated personnel (drivers).
  3. The Company and the Provider shall not be liable in the event of loss, theft, or exchange of luggage. Also in cases resulting from vehicle damage. They shall not be liable for damage or breakage caused to passengers’ luggage or its packaging. Furthermore, the Company and the Provider shall not be liable for the loss, theft, or damage of any valuables, such as cash, jewellery, precious metals, keys, sunglasses and/or eyeglasses, electronic devices (laptops, iPads, tablets, MP3 players, mobile phones, cameras), contact lenses, prostheses, medicines, important documents, etc., and any fragile objects.
  4. In the event of loss of luggage or other objects, the Company and the Provider will endeavour to verify their possible finding. It shall be the passenger’s responsibility to retrieve the items or he/she shall be responsible for any expenses incurred in getting them to him/her.
• Pet transportation
  1. The transportation of animals of any kind is not permitted. Only after agreement between the parties will animals be allowed on board, subject to a muzzle, leash and cage. The owner is fully liable for any damage caused to the bus or to persons, with immediate compensation for any damage.
• Bus seats, seat belts, standing in unauthorised places, infringements and penalties
  1. No more passengers than the maximum permitted number stated on the vehicle registration card may be taken on board.
  2. All passengers are obliged to remain seated and wear seat belts until the engine is switched off.
  3. Each passenger is obliged to comply with the prescriptions contained in Article 172 of the Highway Code, (as amended by Legislative Decree no. 150 of 13 March 2006, implementing EU directive 2003/20/EC) concerning the mandatory use of seat belts and child restraint systems in vehicles. Passengers are therefore required to fasten their seat belts and in the event of non-compliance the offender is personally liable, and in the case of minors the person responsible is the accompanying person. Any penalties or infringements contested to the service provider and attributable to the passenger (e.g. seatbelts not fastened, requests to stop in unauthorised places, etc.) will be charged to the User, in addition to the costs of handling the file.
• Passenger liability in the case of international travel
  1. In the case of international travel, the passenger is personally responsible for compliance with passport, visa, foreign currency, border and customs regulations. The consequences of non-compliance with these regulations are charged to the passenger.
  2. During international journeys, passengers are obliged to carry all documents and identity cards required for crossing borders and to show them to the driver and service personnel when requested to do so.
  3. Delivered luggage must not be locked in order to facilitate border operations. The passenger is obliged to carry only goods that are exempt from customs duties, by type and quantity.
• Correspondence of the vehicle booked to the vehicle shown at booking
  1. The Company and the Provider cannot guarantee a particular model of vehicle unless specifically agreed between the User and the Company, and subsequently between the Company and the Provider. Vehicles shown on the Web Site are for illustrative purposes only and may be replaced by similar or superior models if necessary.
• Insurance
  1. Vehicles are regularly insured in accordance with current legal provisions and the maximum sum varies according to the vehicle booked.
• General driving and rest time rules for drivers
  1. In order to avoid any unpleasant misunderstandings with the User and passengers, please note that bus drivers are bound by the regulations in force regarding driving and rest times.
  2. In order to meet safety requirements, the transport service must comply with EU Regulation No. 561/2006, which allows a driving time of:
     • maximum 9 hours of driving per day;
     • maximum 10 hours of driving per day twice a week;
     • maximum 56 hours of driving per week (four days 9 hours, two days 10 hours);
     • maximum 90 hours of driving in a two-week period.

The daily driving time of the driver shall also include the driving time required to reach the departure address indicated by the User, starting from the Provider’s location/terminal, and returning to the Provider’s location/terminal, once the journey has been completed.

• 1. The driver of the vehicle is required by law to take a break every four and a half hours of driving. The break may be taken in one of two ways:
     • a single break of 45 consecutive minutes, after the four and a half hours of driving;
     • two breaks, of at least 15 and 30 minutes each, within the four and a half hours of driving.

The second break must be 30 minutes even if the first break lasted more than 15 minutes. If necessary, the driver may discretionally increase the number and duration of driving breaks.

• 1. The driver of the vehicle must rest 11 consecutive hours within a 24-hour period, with the possibility of an exception 3 days a week, but never less than 9 consecutive hours.
  2. The driver of the vehicle is entitled, every 6 days of service, to a rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours. The regular rest period is 45 consecutive hours. In the event that the driver rests for fewer hours (e.g. 24 hours), the difference with the corresponding supplement must be made up within the following three weeks.
  3. The maximum daily commitment of the driver is 13 hours. The driver’s maximum daily commitment shall also include the driving time required to reach the departure address specified by the User, starting from the Provider’s location/terminal, and to return to the Provider’s location/terminal when the journey is completed.
  4. If two drivers are employed who take turns driving the vehicle, every 30 hours both must have an uninterrupted daily rest period of 9 hours.
  5. Failure to comply with these rules will result in 2 points being deducted from the driver’s license, in addition to the bus being immobilized on the spot. Please be understanding towards drivers if they are unable to make or extend a visit, perhaps even requested at the last moment, and especially at night, or to make a diversion.
• Pick-up waiting times and extra hours
  1. The User undertakes to observe the schedule agreed upon when booking the transport service.
  2. In the case of booking a single or multiple transfers, the vehicle will wait for passengers at the agreed pick-up point for a maximum of 30 minutes, after which the Company and the Provider shall be deemed to be released from all obligations and the transport service shall be considered to have been carried out. In the aforementioned case, no reimbursement shall be made to the User.
  3. In the event that a waiting time of more than 30 minutes is required, the User must notify the Company and the Provider before the transport service takes place, and if the Provider is able to accommodate the request, the User will be charged €50 for each extra hour of waiting time.
  4. In the event that the User requests an extension of the booked transport service, the User shall notify the Company before the transport service takes place and, if the Provider is able to comply with the request and in accordance with the “General rules on drivers’ driving times and rest periods” governed by Section 16, the User shall be charged an amount of €50 for each extra hour of service.
• Passenger behaviour
  1. It is strictly forbidden for the passenger:
     • shouting, making noise and anything that may disturb the driver;
     • smoking on board the hired vehicle; this prohibition also extends to electronic cigarettes;
     • consume meals and/or food and alcoholic beverages on board;
     • stand in the aisle during the journey;
     • obstructing passage and boarding areas;
     • tampering with vehicle equipment;
     • boarding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Any behaviour that differs from that described above will result in the non-application of the stipulated insurances.

• 1. The Provider – through its delegated drivers – may refuse to transport any person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or who constitutes a danger to the driver of the vehicle and other passengers.
• Tips for drivers
  1. It is not obligatory to leave a tip for the driver of the vehicle; however, if you were satisfied with the service, a voluntary contribution is certainly welcome.
• Complaints, Refunds and Claims
  1. Any complaints or claims against the Transport Service Provider must be sent by email to info@atlasbusrental.com as soon as possible, and in any case within 14 days after the date on which the Transport Service ends. Complaints and claims received after the aforementioned 14-day period shall be rejected, and the claimant shall renounce any right to compensation (of damages or costs).
  2. Any discrepancies or inconsistencies regarding the booked Transport Service (e.g.: vehicle with inferior characteristics compared to the booked vehicle) must be reported in writing by email to info@atlasbusrental.com at the start of the journey, under penalty of invalidation of any subsequent claims or requests for compensation.