Pavlovich Coachlines

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click any question to reveal the answer.

1. I am confused about the difference between a “bus” and a “coach”?
   

   Don’t worry, lots of people get confused. And, one is not “better” than the other. A bus hired from Pavlovich, may well be a much better option, than a coach from another operator. It’s all about age and features…

   Generally, a coach is designed for long distance travel, with lots of luggage space, big comfortable seats with lots of leg room, maybe there’s a toilet on board, a high floor level so you are above cars and other road users with a good view, a high quality sound system with TV/DVD, tinted windows and curtains plus loads of other passenger focused comfort features.

   A bus, while it can share some features with a coach, such as air conditioning, is designed for short fast operations around cities with minimum comfort features, and assumes you won’t sit for long. It will have low floor access, meaning you sit closer to the ground, it has virtually no luggage space, will have 2 doors for quick loading and unloading, you can have standing passenger and while comfortable, you won’t ever want to travel Auckland to Wellington in a bus!! A bus can be ideal for some trips, but think carefully about comfort level. A bus is cheaper to hire than a coach.

2. Our group will have bags and luggage, can I hire a bus?
   

   No, buses do not have luggage space, and you don’t want large bags in the aisle or on seats. They are dangerous missiles in the event of an accident. If you have luggage, hire a coach.

3. How old can buses and coaches be?
   

   At Pavlovich Coachlines, we are horrified at the age of some vehicles on the road in New Zealand. I regularly see buses that were built in the early 1980s carrying groups around New Zealand. That’s 25 to 30 years old! You are safer and more likely to arrive on time in a new bus, than an old coach.

   WHEN YOU HIRE, ASK ABOUT THE AGE of your vehicle. Age is probably the single most important safety factor you can control.

4. How much does it cost to hire a coach?
   

   While we have listed some basic charges on this web site, there are some variables involved in pricing each charter trip, including season-based pricing. It is best to quote for each trip individually. So the more itinerary details you can give us, e.g. passenger numbers, date, pick up address and timing preferences, the more accurately and cost-effectively we can quote your job and help save you money.

5. Are driver’s accommodation and meal costs included in overnight/away trips?
   

   Not normally. It is usually the responsibility of the client to arrange and pay for the driver’s accommodation and meals on all nights away from Auckland, Christchurch or Hamilton. If you prefer to arrange the driver's accommodation and meals please note that our minimum requirements are a single motel or hotel room, and dinner & breakfast, for the driver. If you would like us to arrange and quote you for this, please indicate when you request the quote.

6. How long can your drivers drive or be on duty for?
   

   Coach and bus drivers are legally compelled to work within maximum on-duty and driving hour periods. Briefly, these requirements are:

   • No more than 13 hours working within a 24 hour period.
   • Maximum single driving period must not exceed 5 ½ hours at a time – and must be followed by a minimum half hour rest period/break.
   • Maximum 14 hours on-duty within any 24 hour period.
   • A continuous break between duties of at least 10 hours in any 24 hour period.

   We are happy to discuss your travel plans to cover these requirements.

7. Do you give out drivers' names and mobile numbers?
   

   The short answer is 'no'. A change in NZ driving laws and cumulative feedback received from clients has persuaded us that our clients' needs are always best served by directly phoning Pavlovich Coachlines' main landline +64 9 620-5490 and talking to the people who have authority and responsibility to make scheduling changes. This is particularly pertinent when illness, flight delays, or a client's last minute needs demand that such alterations be quickly implemented!

   Our operations and reservations managers are the 'persons on the ground' who have access to all scheduling information and can therefore immediately assess your situation. They may ask clarifying questions of you and, after evaluating what needs to be done to remedy the problem, will then discharge instructions to the appropriate person/s assigned to your job.

   The +64 9 620-5490 number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If preferred you can call our 0800 287 447 number. This number accepts all calls including those from international roaming mobile phones - so you can be totally assured that your emergency request will be actioned and followed up by our operations managers.

8. Will the driver wait between jobs if we have booked a return transfer?
   

   If you have specifically booked the waiting period in between transfers your driver will wait discreetly and will be available to you. However if your booking is on the basis of “drop off and return” the driver might not remain on site between transfers.

9. Where can your coaches pick us up from?
   

   We work to your instruction for pick up and drop off locations. Provided there is safe, reasonable and legal access our coaches can meet groups anywhere that is required.

10. Can your coaches go on the Cook Strait ferry?
    

    Yes, our coaches can go on the Cook Strait ferry, and the cost of ferry transportation is an additional charge to the hirer. However, we have found that the most cost effective solution for our clients is to ‘reposition’ the coaches to/from Wellington and Picton rather than paying for a coach to cross on the ferry. We are well placed to position coaches in Wellington and/or Picton to meet your itinerary requirements.

11. What cities do you operate in?
    

    Our tour coach fleet is based in Auckland and Hamilton in the North Island. We have a small capacity in Christchurch in the South Island. All South Island enquiries and bookings are taken and processed through our Head Office in Auckland.

12. Can you organise coaches nationwide and in other centres?
    

    Absolutely. For some of our customers, we are happy to broker all requirements nationwide. At the very least, we are happy to refer you to another coach operator to assist you.

13. Can I hire a coach and provide my own driver?
    

    This is called “dry hire” and, no, sorry, we do not dry hire. Costly experience has taught us that our vehicles, worth in excess of $500,000 each, are best driven by our own trained and experienced drivers.

14. Can I contact you after office hours?
    

    If your tour or trip has already commenced or is about to commence, Pavlovich Coachlines can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency needs – e.g. a change to your itinerary or a cancellation.

    The +64 9 620-5490 number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If preferred you can call our 0800 287 447 number. This number accepts all calls including those from mobile phones - so you can be totally assured that your emergency request will be actioned and followed up by our operations managers.

15. Can your coaches go up to the North and South Island skifields?
    

    Any coach in our fleet can operate on ski field roads if the road is open and no chain restriction is in place. However if ski field road restrictions do occur, Pavlovich Coachlines are not responsible for any additional costs that clients may incur.

16. Can we drink alcohol on-board your coaches?
    

    As a general rule we do not allow the consumption of alcohol onboard our coaches. The main reason is that it is almost certain that another group will require the use of the coach(es) shortly after your job and however meticulously the vehicles are cleaned afterward we still want to avoid having to subject the next group to any residual mess.

    Notwithstanding general rules we are prepared to make minor exceptions. In these circumstances the entire group of passengers must be prepared to abide by the following code of conduct:

    • The distribution of alcohol must be managed by an organiser who must be sober and who must not consume alcohol.
    • One supply source (a chilly bin or similar) with empty bottles/cans replaced by the organiser only when the vessels/cans are empty.
    • One drink per person at any time.
    • Comfort stops only where public facilities are available.
    • The organiser to remove all empty bottles/cans at journey's end (sealed in a bag or container).

    We emphasise that Pavlovich people are keen to ensure that you enjoy your trip. However the driver is responsible for maintaining passenger control and ensuring your safety, so we support any driver's decision to stop the consumption of alcohol if he deems it necessary. We also reserve the right to charge up to $300 for a coach valet cleaning service if soiling, damage or spillage occurs.

17. Will I be charged extra for high fuel costs?
    

    The price of diesel fuel is a significant operating cost for us. In line with other significant transport operators in New Zealand we reserve the right to apply a fuel surcharge during times of high fuel costs. We will talk to you in advance of your trip before any application of this cost.