TERMS AND CONDITIONS 



PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN HITTING THE "ACCEPT AND CONTINUE" BUTTON, IT ONLY ACTS TO NOTIFY YOUR SALES REP THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED WITH YOUR BOOKING. NO COACHES ARE HELD UNTIL EITHER DEPOSIT AND/OR FINAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND ANY OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS, "GROUND TRAVEL SPECIALIST, INC." MAY BE REFERRED TO AS "GTS, INC." ANY REFERENCE TO "GTS, INC" HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER DOCUMENT, AGREEMENT, OR COMMUNICATION SHALL BE UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN "GROUND TRAVEL SPECIALIST, INC.

If booking online, please use the customer portal to sign the confirmation. Note that this electronic signature holds the same legal standard as a written signature. If you are printing the agreement, we ask that you sign the confirmation and send it in with your deposit or final payment. Signing, whether electronically or manually (handwritten), will constitute a legally binding contract that cannot be amended except by another written agreement between GTS, INC., and the customer.

THE TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE STATED IS BASED UPON THE SPECIFIC SERVICE REQUESTED BY YOU. CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT. IF YOU FIND ANY ERRORS, OR OMISSIONS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE COMPANY AND MAKE A NOTATION OF ALL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, EITHER ON THIS DOCUMENT OR BY CALLING. IF THE COMPANY AGREES THAT THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS ERRORS OR OMISSIONS, AN UPDATED CONTRACT WILL BE FURNISHED.

PAYMENT TERMS:
If sending in payment, please make checks payable to ground travel specialist, inc., and write the charter number on your check. If booked within 21 days of departure, payment must be made by certified funds, cash, or ACH payments must be at GTS, INC. by the date provided to ensure that your coach(es) are reserved. Without a deposit no motorcoach will be held. If you cancel the charter outside of 45 days prior to your departure, your deposit is transferable. your deposit is non-transferable for trips cancelled 45 days or inside of the initial trip departure date. If the trip is not formally cancelled and payment is not received 21 days prior to the departure, then there is a material breach in the contract. The customer owes 50% of the beginning balance (minus the deposit given) for liquidated damages even as GTS, INC. tries to mitigate its losses by releasing the motorcoach. Formally cancelled means in writing and then e-mailed/mailed to GTS, INC. by the due date. No refunds are given on the deposit or final payment, only a credit when one is due. GTS, INC. reserves the right to cancel or stop a trip without notice or refund if a payment is not received by the date provided. All balances must be paid in full before a trip is considered confirmed to go. All monies received after the due date will be applied to all balances owed by the customer.

DRIVER GRATUITIES:
Unless otherwise noted, driver gratuities are not included. It is customary for a driver to receive gratuities based on a job well done. As noted, if driver gratuities are not listed on a confirmation/contract then the gratuities have not been included. In that case it is usually expected that the group will take care of that gratuity at the conclusion of the trip. Gratuities should be based on a job well done. Please speak to your sales representative when booking if you have any questions. We would be happy to assist you with determining an appropriate amount based on your specific trip.

DRIVER TIME/MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS:
The driver must adhere to all dot and federal laws and should not be asked to break any of these laws. A driver must have ten (10) consecutive hours off duty, after driving ten (10) hours or being on duty fifteen (15) hours. We cannot permit or require a driver to exceed these federal standards. It is understood and agreed that the performance of the service detailed in this order is subject to FMCSR regulations and is contingent upon the carrier’s ability to furnish the equipment and perform the service. The number of hours that a motor-coach operator can be on duty is strictly limited by the U.S. Federal law. GTS, INC. will not be held liable for any loss or damages resulting from adherence to these hours-of-service limitations.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE MOTORCOACH:
During the charter, the group is to maintain respect for the equipment including the cleanliness of the motorcoach. A surcharge will be added to your account if the equipment is not kept respectable. If excessive and/or unusual cleanup is needed (defecation, regurgitation, excessive debris, excessive spills, etc.) there will be a minimum $250 clean-up fee per bus charged to the chartering party. All decisions regarding unusual cleanup or wear and tear of the vehicle rest with GTS, INC and its staff. Any costs associated for damage to seats, windows, blinds, or other parts of the vehicle caused by any member of the client's party is the responsibility of the client. We advise looking over the coach with your driver at the end of your trip to make sure your group did not cause any damage or leave an excessive mess. Personal baggage, instruments, equipment, and other properties will be limited to the capacity of the vehicle. Carrier assumes no responsibilities or liabilities for damaged, stolen, or lost items transported or left in its vehicle. GTS, INC. shall not be held neither responsible nor liable for items left on the coach both during and at the conclusion of the trip.

BEHAVIOR AND SAFTEY:
All passengers are expected to maintain a respectful level of behavior while on the motorcoach and towards the driver. We take safety very seriously and expect our guests to do the same. The driver has the authority to stop the trip at any time if the behavior on the motorcoach is deemed unsafe or if the group is not acting appropriately either on the coach or towards the driver. If the driver feels threatened or unsafe at any time, they have the right to take immediate action to ensure their safety and that of all passengers. At this time, it is expected that the group corrects any disrespectful or unsafe behaviors. Only after the situation has been rectified will the trip continue. GTS, INC. is not responsible for any costs incurred due to delays caused by the stop needed to safely proceed. If the driver determines that conditions are unsafe, they have the right to terminate service at any time. In such an event, the group will be responsible for finding alternative transportation. There will be no refund for monies paid or compensation for any additional costs incurred for alternative transportation or any other losses resulting from the discontinuation of the trip due to inappropriate behavior, unsafe conditions, or threats/disrespect to the driver. This includes, but is not limited to, missed events, accommodations, or any other pre-arranged plans. By agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge and accept the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment on the motorcoach.

DRUGS, TOBACCO, AND ALCHOL USE:
Smoking (including vaping and electronic cigarettes), smokeless tobacco, and chewing tobacco are strictly prohibited on the motorcoach. There will be a minimum $250 fee per occurrence, which the chartering party will be responsible for, in addition to any costs for damages caused. Drugs, including marijuana, are not allowed on the motorcoach at any time. Even if marijuana is legal in certain jurisdictions, it is prohibited on our motorcoaches due to Federal regulations.
Consumption of alcohol on the motorcoach must be approved prior to the departure. All passengers consuming alcohol must be over the age of 21. Only plastic and cans are allowed on the coach. For the safety of all the travelers, no glass containers are allowed. Kegs and Large Coolers are not allowed in the main cabin but can be transported in the luggage bay. Please bring straps to secure items to help avoid shifting caused from the vehicle moving. Any approved use of alcohol must be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations of jurisdictions both visited and traveled through.
GTS, INC reserves the right to refuse to transport persons under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs, or is likely to become such, as to be objectionable to other persons. GTS, INC. drivers also have the right to remove any disruptive passengers and/or those doing harm to the vehicle or other passengers. Should a driver determine a passenger is no longer allowed to travel, that individual must vacate the vehicle immediately before the trip can be continued. If any passenger refuses to get off the coach in a timely manner the driver has the right to terminate the charter service. If service is terminated there will be no refund, transfer, or compensation for any damages, portion of the charter, or any additional costs that may be incurred.

LIABILITY:
Carrier does not guarantee to arrive at or depart from any point at a specified time but will endeavor to maintain the schedule submitted by its agent or employee. Carrier will not be liable for delays or cancellations caused by acts of god, public enemies, authority of law, quarantine, perils of navigation, riots, strikes, the hazards or dangers incident to a state of war, accidents, mechanical failure, bad road conditions, snow or rain storms, or any other inclement weather, visibility, traffic, and any other conditions beyond its control. If, in the opinion of the carrier, conditions make it inadvisable to operate charter service from either the “place of origin” or at any point in route, the carrier reserves the right to discontinue service and will not be held liable therefore, or be caused to be held for damage for any reason whatsoever. Additional costs, such as meals, lodging, and transportation will in this respect become the responsibility of the chartering party. Although we will always try to accommodate, we cannot guarantee the assignment of requested drivers or coaches.

GTS, INC. shall not be liable for the loss or damage of any items of personal property, baggage, instruments, equipment, and other properties, stored in either the overhead racks inside the bus, or the luggage compartments underneath the bus. Each member of the group shall be responsible for his/her own personal property and baggage. Personal baggage, instruments, equipment, and other properties will be limited to the capacity of the vehicle. Carrier assumes no responsibilities or liabilities for damaged, stolen, or lost items/property, transported or left in its vehicle. GTS, INC. shall not be held neither responsible nor liable for items left on the coach both during and/or at the conclusion of the trip. Each person shall be responsible for removing all of their own personal property and baggage from the bus at the end of each day of travel, when leaving the motorcoach, and upon the completion of the trip. The driver has sole discretion of refusing any items due to weight, size, safety concerns, or inappropriate contents.

AMENITIES AND WI-FI SERVICE NOTE:
This confirmation reflects that GTS, INC. has been hired to provide transportation services as detailed within. As a transportation company, GTS, INC. focuses on delivering safe and reliable travel for our customers. While we strive to offer a range of extra features to enhance your experience, these amenities, vehicle types, and additional features are not guaranteed and should be considered supplementary.

WI-FI SERVICE: All GTS, INC. motorcoaches are equipped with Wi-Fi for passenger convenience, provided through a major service provider. However, Wi-Fi connectivity relies on cellular signals, and as such, connection quality may vary depending on location. As the Wi-Fi service equipment is furbished by an external third-party provider, GTS, INC. cannot typically service or troubleshoot the equipment directly and is not responsible for any loss of connectivity or unavailability of Wi-Fi service during travel.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES: Other amenities, such as electrical outlets, Audio/Video entertainment systems, HVAC, microphones, etc., may be available on GTS, INC. vehicles. However, these features are not part of the guaranteed transportation service and are offered only when possible. GTS, INC. will make every effort to equip motorcoaches with these extras when available, but their functionality and availability cannot be assured throughout the trip.

By booking with GTS, INC., you acknowledge that while we aim to offer these additional features for your convenience, GTS, INC. is contracted solely for transportation services. Any supplementary amenities or features are provided as an added benefit and may not be available or operational at all times.

PICKUP AND DROP-OFF LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY:
The availability and accessibility of a pickup or drop-off location are subject to the driver's sole discretion to ensure the safety of the motorcoach and avoid potential damage. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations such as narrow streets, lack of turnaround space, low-hanging branches, poor visibility due to darkness, obstructions (such as landscaping or construction), and road conditions. If the driver determines that a location is not safe or accessible, the group must find an alternative pickup location or transport themselves to a location deemed suitable by the driver. Our drivers are well-trained and will make every reasonable effort to pull up to a location that is convenient for the group, but we cannot risk damage to the coach.

P.O.C. – POINT OF CONTACT:
GTS, INC. requires at least one point of contact (POC) for each trip. Specifically, we require a contact person who will be present at the pickup location at the time of departure. For multiple coach moves with the same departure time, one POC is acceptable (although additional POCs are welcome). However, if a multi-coach move has differing departure times or locations, a POC for each distinct move is strongly suggested. Having a designated POC is crucial due to our extensive experience, which has demonstrated the importance of clear communication. The POC will be the person our driver(s) will coordinate with before the trip begins and during any requested stops along the way. Please provide this information at your earliest convenience to ensure we can relay it to your driver(s) promptly, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:
ITINERARY CHANGE:
Your cost is based on the services detailed in the confirmation & is subject to change in accordance with your actual itinerary. Any additional use must be approved immediately by the office & an additional charge to the account will be assessed, and due immediately. Your driver will be furnished with a copy of the agreed itinerary as a part of our dispatch procedures. They will be responsible for following that itinerary strictly. The driver has no authority to agree to make any changes to the trip schedule. Changes, additions, and deviations must be approved by GTS, INC. Office staff prior to those changes being made. If you want to make changes to the agreed itinerary during your trip, please notify the driver at once and they will contact the appropriate staff. GTS, INC. has the right to agree, or decline, to any requested changes. If GTS, INC. Agrees to your requested changes you must also agree to pay any changes in pricing. These additional charges are due immediately.

DRIVER ROOMS: The chartering party, the customer, will be responsible to make reservations & paying for the drivers’ hotel rooms on all overnight or multi-day charters (and some turn-arounds). The chartering party will not be responsible for room service, calls, or other misc. charges to the driver’s room. The hotel room(s) should be booked where the group is staying whenever possible. If this is not possible due to parking or other associated costs, we require that all hotels booked are at large chain hotels that are clean & in a safe area. Please keep in mind, there may be additional costs if the drivers’ hotel is not with the group & this may also limit the drivers’ available hours of service.

PARKING AND ENTRANCE FEES: All fees associated with parking and/or entrance fees are the responsibility of the booking party and if paid by the GTS, INC. those fees along with any additional costs must be paid before the completion of the trip. If for any reason this is not paid before the charter is complete, all additional costs paid by GTS, INC. are due within 10 business days.

FUEL SURCHARGE: By booking with GTS, INC. you acknowledge that a fuel surcharge of 1.5% may be accessed to the account for every $.10 per gallon increase in diesel from the date of booking.

OUTSTANDING BALANCES: If a charter is provided by GTS, INC. and the chartering party defaults on payment or fails to settle the final balance within 30 days, GTS, INC. reserves the right to charge the outstanding balance to the chartering party's credit card. A monthly interest charge of 5% will be added to the outstanding balance starting immediately after the 30-day period, and interest will be applied to the new balance each month. interest will be compounded monthly on the new balance. The chartering party also waives the right to dispute any such charges. in the event GTS, INC. must pursue legal action or arbitration to obtain payment, the chartering party agrees to pay all associated legal fees for both themselves and GTS, INC. if the chartering party is deemed liable and required to pay GTS, INC., the ruling will be binding and final. Moreover, the chartering party waives the right to appeal the ruling.

GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS:
Guns and weapons are strictly prohibited both in the main cabin or in any luggage compartment. If it is determined that any prohibited items are on the coach the trip will be terminated immediately with no compensation for portions of the itinerary missed, losses, or for any additional costs incurred.

GTS CONTRACT FULFILMENT: GTS, INC. reserves the right to lease equipment from other companies in order to fulfill this agreement. GTS, INC. reserves the right to use assigned motorcoaches for multiple charters and customers at any time the vehicle is not in use.

INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE:
The booking party/tour operator/lessee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the vehicle owner/operator/lessor, including its officers, directors, agents, and employees, from any and all actions, claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind. This includes but is not limited to judgments, interest, and attorneys’ fees, which may arise or be incurred at any time following the date of this agreement. Such matters may result from any breach by the booking party/tour operator/lessee of this agreement or any other contract with the vehicle owner/operator/lessor, infringement or alleged infringement of any intellectual property rights, or any acts or omissions by the tour operator/lessee under this agreement.

LEGAL:
Any action/proceedings arising from this contract will stay within the legal jurisdiction of the courts of our office address, no matter where the pick-up is. The contract must be signed to acknowledge your reservation and your acceptance of this agreement. This contract supersedes all previous agreements, verbal and written, and is understood to be the final draft of any negotiations.

ITEMS, LUGGAGE, AND EQUIPMENT POLICY:
In addition to the terms and conditions regarding personal items and property liability outlined elsewhere, the following policies apply specifically to items such as luggage, equipment, coolers, scooters, and similar belongings:

WEIGHTS RESTRICTIONS: All items, including luggage, coolers, and equipment, must be of reasonable weight. Excessively heavy items may be refused by the driver to ensure safety. The driver has sole discretion in determining whether an item is too heavy or unsuitable for transport. It is the responsibility of the passenger or group to assist in loading and unloading any items if requested by the driver. Failure to comply may result in items being refused for transport.

DRIVER ASSISTANCE: For the safety of our drivers, it is essential that passengers provide assistance with any item, luggage, or equipment deemed by the driver as requiring additional handling. Should the driver feel that lifting or moving a particular item poses a risk, they may request help from the group. This requirement is to minimize injury risk to the driver. In the event of a driver injury, GTS, INC. cannot guarantee that a replacement driver will be available in a timely manner, potentially causing delays or cancellations. GTS, INC. assumes no liability for any costs, delays, or interruptions caused by such events.

By booking with GTS, INC., you agree to these additional policies and acknowledge the importance of adhering to weight and handling guidelines to ensure a safe and efficient travel experience for all parties involved.

DISEASE AND ILLNESS WAIVER:
When traveling in public, including on a charter motorcoach, you run the risk of coming into contact with contagious diseases and illnesses. This includes, but is not limited to, COVID-19. Customers and passengers for whom the customer has chartered the vehicle(s) may be exposed to various contagious diseases that could be potentially serious or even deadly.

Contagious diseases, such as COVID-19, are considered highly transmissible and can spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Some individuals may be asymptomatic carriers of such diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations frequently update guidelines regarding the prevention and spread of these diseases. Customers accept full responsibility for familiarizing themselves and the passengers for whom they have chartered the vehicle(s) with the most recent updates and recommendations.

While the risk of contracting a contagious disease may be lessened by taking preventive measures such as wearing face masks, the risk of exposure cannot be completely eliminated. Exposure to contagious diseases may result in serious illness, temporary or permanent disability, or even death.
After considering these risks, the customer releases and fully discharges GTS, INC, its owners, partners, lessors, officers, shareholders, agents, and employees from any and all liability arising from exposure to contagious diseases while boarding, riding, or disembarking from a GTS, INC vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, liability for developing illnesses such as COVID-19.

The customer accepts full responsibility for any injury or damage to themselves or passengers for whom they have chartered the vehicle, including medical expenses resulting from exposure to contagious diseases while using GTS, INC services. The customer agrees to hold harmless GTS, INC for any injury or damage sustained, including death. The customer also agrees not to bring any action against GTS, INC regarding exposure to or contraction of any contagious disease.


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