Bus failed to turn up..breach of contract?

[Jeffrey Shaw]

Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394 is the case.

Here's a simplified summary for non-specialists: http://www.lawiki.org/lawwiki/Fisher_v_Bell_(1961)

 

The point is that a contract needs three elements:

1. Offer.

2. Acceptance.

3. Intention to create legal relationship.

 

So anything prior to that is just an 'Invitation to treat' and not a binding contract.

[Guest busdriver1]

I once had the pleasure of contacting First when 2 buses failed to show on a Sunday service.....I say fail they actually ran the route but 'Not in Service'. The reason give was that the buses were delayed and was told to run light to a certain part on the route

 

This depends on the reason why they were delayed in the first place. If it was outside of the companys control, the sensuble thing to do is to re-position then in order to offer the correct level of service from that point on. I know it is frustrating. Problem is though if they continue to run late there a corresponding gaps in the service and the late buses get busier due to queues building up and it just goes on. It is often easier and more succesful in the long term to accept that a trip will not run, whilst taking steps to ensure normal or near normal service is resumed as soon as possible, For ALL the route.

[Ghozer]

If the bus was a first bus ring them and you get a free day saver and a generic letter I've got a few thanks to the 17 bus

 

never happened with me, my buses are often really late, or totally missing, have phoned and complained before and not even had a letter of apology, like I was told I would get...

[TJC1]

Post #9 is accurate, BUT at what point is there a contract at all?

I'd say, "Not until passenger boards bus and pays fare or shows pass."

So, prior to then, there's no contract (and therefore nothing to breach).

 

Even then, the most a passenger can reasonably expect is a refund, at the companies discretion. The bus firm cannot be held responsible for individual cases of people missing work.