Charter Service
James River Transportation has a modern fleet of coaches to meet all of your needs. We can provide:
- Motorcoaches which seat 55, 47 or 38 passengers
- Mini-coaches which seat up to 32 passengers
- Standard and Executive Vans which seat up to 13 passengers
- Sedans, SUVs and Limousine coach service
Services
James River Transportation can provide your group with signs, communication, traffic control, step-on guides, and other amenities. Please ask our sales staff what we can do to make your trip more enjoyable.
Amenities
We can provide amenities for your group such as soft drinks, coolers with ice, card tables, and any other special service you may want. Please call our office in advance so we can have everything ready for your trip.
55 and 38 passenger motorcoaches have electrical outlets with limited power; personal device chargers only. Every effort is made to ensure that outlets are working properly when the motorcoach departs our facility. However, due to the nature of vehicle movement and travel conditions, a portion of the outlets may be unavailable at any given time.
WIFI is available for $35.00 per day. Data usage is limited per day. Overages may incur additional cost ($15.00 per GB). Service may be intermittent due to the availability of towers and the nature of cellular reception.
Audio/Video equipment usage is not charged at an extra cost, therefore there is no refund if it should become inoperative. Additionally, each group must bring their own originally purchased or rented movies. Movies that are privately copied, questionable, or explicit will not be permitted.
Payment
Deposit: A $100 deposit, per vehicle per day, is required within seven days after booking. Deposits are fully refundable if your trip is cancelled at least thirty (30) days prior to departure. Customers with pre-approved credit do not need to send the deposit, but must approve the charter details.
Balance: All charters must be paid in full at least 14 days prior to departure.
Payment may be made by cash, certified funds, check or credit card. Payment by phone may be made with a credit card.
Please include the charter number with any payment or correspondence.
There is a $75.00 returned check fee.
Cancellations
Cancellations made at least 30 days prior to departure will be refunded in full.
- Less than 30 days but more than 14 days: Loss of deposit
- Less than 14 days but more than 7 days: 50% of full price
- Less than 7 days: Full price
Charters are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due dates.
Charters are also subject to cancellation if a confirmation has not been approved and returned.
Drivers
Every driver is a James River Bus Lines’ employee who is trained and certified to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Their driving and on duty time are limited by the Department of Transportation and James River safety policies. If needed, we will arrange additional drivers to accommodate your schedule.
The Driver is the only authorized person to operate entry door; passengers are not allowed to touch any coach controls.
We will make every effort to honor driver and vehicle requests, but cannot guarantee it.
Gratuities are greatly appreciated for exceptional service. A typical gratuity is about 10% and can be added to your invoice.
Driver Hours of Service
James River Transportation is regulated by the FMCSA and the USDOT. These agencies regulate the on duty and off duty hours of service that the motorcoach operator is allowed to perform. In addition, James River has policies that restrict a driver’s ability to accommodate schedules. In general, drivers may drive 10 hours, be on duty 15 hours and require 9 hours off before driving again. This includes time for drivers to fuel, park, service the vehicle and time between garage, hotel and loading point. James River also limits the time an operator drives at night and the total time a driver is away in a 24 hour period. Itineraries that do not meet government regulations or James River’s policy will be subject to change and/or additional fees for relief drivers.
Itinerary
A detailed itinerary is important for any successful trip. Our sales staff is experienced in attending to the details of any charter. Please send us a complete itinerary at least two (2) weeks prior to your trip including specific loading points, street addresses, and any special directions. If your itinerary differs from the basis for this confirmation, the price is subject to change.
While most transportation cost can be anticipated and included in the estimate, customers are responsible for unplanned cost such as parking, entrance fees, tolls or others.
Luggage
James River will not be liable for the loss of any personal items or luggage stored in or under the coach. Luggage must weigh less than 50lbs. The handling of luggage over 50lbs. is the sole responsibility of the chartering party.
Immigrations
U.S. Citizens should visit www.travel.state.gov for the latest immigration regulations. Non-citizens must have necessary immigration documents. James River is not responsible for decisions made by customs officials.
Refreshments
Refreshments may be served on all of our coaches. However, for your safety, please refrain from serving hot liquids or beverages in glass containers.
Helpful Hint: Use large plastic cups filled ¾ full to prevent spilling.
Federal law requires that James River Transportation be notified if your party will be having alcoholic beverages of any type on board.
The chartering party is responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations related to service and consumption of alcohol; for controlling the consumption of alcohol; and for managing the conduct of members of the group to ensure their safety.
Wheelchair Accessible Coaches
James River Transportation has wheelchair accessible coaches and other equipment to accommodate our passengers. Please let us know in advance (at least 48 hours) if there are any special needs your group may require.
Retail trips for individual passengers (like our casino trips) may require additional notice to ensure space is available. Seats will need to be removed to make room for wheelchairs.
The lifts in our vehicles are not designed for standing passengers. Anyone utilizing a lift must be seated in an approved chair.
Smoking
Due to the health factors regarding second-hand smoke, especially in confined areas, we do not allow smoking on our coaches. This includes electronic cigarettes. However, “smoke breaks” can be arranged and added to the schedule at your request.
Damage
Please help us keep our coaches nice for the next passenger. Damage or excessive trash will be the responsibility of the charter party. Some trips will be charged a “security deposit” which will be refunded if the vehicle is returned in original condition.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited items include but are not limited to, weapons (other than government authorized agencies), explosives, and fireworks. Other items not permitted on the coach include but are not limited to smoking, golf shoes, spikes and other items that could potentially damage the interior of the coach.
Illegal Activities
It is the responsibility of the chartering party to ensure Illegal activities are not permitted while on a James River Transportation vehicles. This includes but is not limited to illegal drugs, underage drinking/smoking, possession of a weapon, etc. The local police will be immediately notified of any violations.
Supervision
Adequate supervision and discipline on-board the coach are the responsibility of the chartering party. Passenger interaction cannot interfere with safe driver operation. Passengers and guides must remain seated to the rear of the white line at all times when a coach is in motion.
Transportation Policy
James River reserves the right to decline to transport for reasons determined by management.
Delay
James River Transportation makes every effort to meet your schedule; however, please understand that we cannot be held responsible for occasional delays that are beyond our control. James River cannot guarantee the arrival and departure times as submitted and will not be liable for delays caused by an act of God, public enemies, authority of law, quarantine, riot, strikes, accidents, mechanical breakdowns, poor road conditions, snow storms, extraordinary and/or unexpected economic circumstances or other conditions beyond the control of the carrier. It will be the carrier’s decision to determine when the vehicle can safely operate when circumstances are difficult.
Pets
Service and guide animal are allowed in the passenger compartments. Such animals are not classified as pets and are allowed in public areas.
Pets traveling with you must be in an approved carrier and are considered carry-on luggage. Carriers must be hard or soft-sided. Hard-sided carriers can be a maximum of 17.5″ H x 12″ W x 7.5″ D (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm) and soft-sided carriers can be a maximum of 18″ H x 11″ W x 11″ D (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Your dog must be able to stand up and safely turn around in their carrier. For the pets safety, carriers/pets may not be transported in the underfloor luggage compartment of a bus.
Service animals
Helpful travel reminders
- The animal is expected to be seated in the floor space below your seat
- The animal may not encroach on other passengers
- The animal should not extend into aisles
- The animal must behave properly in public and should follow directions from its owner
- Rodents, reptiles, snakes, ferrets or hoofed animals are not allowed in our vehicles for any reason without pre-authorized written permission for a James River Manager.
Trained service animals
Trained service animals are animals that receive specific training to perform life functions for individuals with disabilities. Examples include animals that assist with visual impairments, deafness, seizures and mobility limitations.
Trained service animals are accepted for qualified individuals with a disability. A service animal should sit in the floor space in front of the customer’s assigned seat but cannot protrude into the aisles. Customers may use an approved air travel in-cabin kennel for smaller animals provided its use meets stowage requirements.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals
Emotional support animals are animals that provide emotional, psychiatric or cognitive support for individuals with disabilities, but may or may not have training with respect to the disability.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals are also accepted for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met. Customers must provide 48 hours’ notice to an agent and a letter from a licensed medical/mental health professional. Customers will need to also provide a veterinary health form documenting the health and vaccination records for the animal as well as confirming that the animal has appropriate behavioral training.
An animal should sit at the customer’s feet without protruding into the aisles to comply with safety regulations. Customers may elect to use an approved air travel in-cabin kennel for smaller animals.
Service animals in training
James River only recognizes service animals which have been trained and certified. Animal trainers are permitted to bring one service animal that is training to assist disabled passengers onboard free of charge. These service animals must not occupy a seat. Trainers transporting service animals in the ordinary course of business or service animals who are not in training, standard pet-related regulations and restrictions will apply.
Therapy animals
Therapy animals, which are pets that have been trained and registered by a therapy organization in order to visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other facilities, are not considered to be service animals. When traveling with a therapy animal, standard pet-related regulations and restrictions will apply.
Equipment
When necessity dictates, James River reserves the right to hire equipment or work through brokers and/or contract carriers to fulfill this contract.
Note: Only persons 18 years of age and older may sign our charter agreement. Parents or guardians may sign for minors.
Errors or Omissions
The total charter charge, under current operating conditions at the time of consummation of said contract, is based upon the specific service and cost of services rendered as requested by the chartering party. If any errors or omissions are found, call our office immediately.
James River reserves the right to add surcharges when/if economic conditions subject us to significant increases in the cost of doing business.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thank you for traveling with James River Transportation
“Customer Service Excellence since 1928”