As a result of the ash cloud in april, we were stranded in Val d'isere and contacted Momentum to arrange a return trip to the uk, when the initial enquiry was made we were told that whilst the coach was not a "luxury" coach it was an "executive" coach so it would not have a toilet but would have reclining seats, arm rests, etc.
What turned up can only be described as a "school bus", no recliners, no armrests, no tables and seats that were probably slightly less comfortable than public transport, certainly not what would be reasonable to expect having paid £4500 for a one way journey from France.
The booking was for Saturday 17th April at 11-12pm collection in Val d'isere, France, booked on the 11.20am ferry from Calais to Dover with an expected estimated time arrival in the north of late afternoon/early evening of Sunday 18th April and we were told the coach would go "straight through".
In reality the coach turned up at 5.30am the following day so we spent the night in the reception of our hotel. The drivers had apparently got lost which could have something to do with the fact that they were trying to navigate their way round Europe with a 2002 road map and I needed to give them directions of how to get to us.
We obviously missed the ferry and in spite of me contacting the co-ordinator to advise him and ask that he re-book us on the one to suit our timetable, they did not, it was left to the drivers who got us on one a few hours later.
Due to all the delays the drivers' hours had run out so another driver collected us from Dover and took us to Medway where we collected yet another driver. This driver was so stressed about the time he had been allowed for the journey that he would not let us off for a toilet break. Clearly we should have had two drivers as this journey would normally be considered to be five and a half hours; one hour over his allowed driving time. Anyway we got there within two or three minutes to spare.
Another concern that we found out on route is that the drivers should have had a nine hour break in Bologna but apparently only got three and it showed. I do not understand why anyone would give us such an unrealistic arrival time and jeopardise our safety, when if we had been told the coach would arrive at say 10am the following morning we could have all had a good nights sleep, the drivers included.
The reality is they did not provide any part of the contract we made and totally misrepresented the standard of product and service.
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