With the previous threads on how the French are targetting British Transfer Operators I felt the need to share some email correspondence I received from what IMHO is a company providing totally illegal transfers in and out of Morzine to/from Geneva Airport. I feel compelled to ‘name and shame’ as this sort of activity can give all the legitimate operators a bad name too.

Into my inbox came the following email from MountainMoments.co.uk

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93759708@N08/8520167305/in/photostream

As you can read, they were offering seat availability, on their 14 seat Mercedes Minibus between Morzine and Geneva Airport, to other legitimate transfer operators.

Knowing the industry well, and the legislation required, I like to protect my customers so to carry out ‘due dilligence’ enquired of MountainMoments.co.uk if they could provide a copy of their Operators Licence and the Vehicle Insurance.

This is the response I received this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93759708@N08/8520175187/in/photostream

So, this guy has taken the International CPC exam. Assuming he passed, then he will be fully aware that you cannot transport ANY passengers before your Operators Licence is granted. He’ll know this, as part of the exam questions are on this very subject. By his own admission he doesn’t hold a French issued Operators Licence.

He says, he has applied for a UK issued Operators Licence, ‘just in case’. The UK Traffic Commissioner clearly states on the Application Form in big, bold, black leters that on no account can you commence to transport passengers BEFORE your licence is granted and your Operator Discs for the vehicle are received.

Then he will also know, having taken the exam, that in any case, you cannot transport passengers from France to Switzerland and vice versa, on a UK issued Operators Licence as that is called ‘Grand Cabotage’ and is illegal under International Law.

The UK Traffic Commissioners helpfully publish a document online called ‘Notices and Proceedings’ every two weeks which lists all pending applications for Licences, decisions, and public inquirys etc. A quick search did not bring up any pending application for Mountain Moments Ltd.

So this company appear to be transporting not only their own chalet guests illegally, but potentially also the general public. If any of the other transfer operators approached have not bothered to carry out ‘due dilligence’ to protect themselves and their customers, then their customers may find themselves unwittingly travelling on an illegal transfer, which also means they are uninsured in the event of an accident.

As an aside, as a chalet operator that is also providing transport, then you come under the 1992 EU Directive on Package travel arrangements, as you are providing 2 or more elements of a holiday ‘package’. i.e. transport and accommodation. Therefore, you need to have financial protection in place. There is no mention of any financial protection within their T&C’s.

So if you find yourself on a 14 seat minibus to/from Morzine belonging to Mountain Moments Ltd. or are staying in their chalet. Perhaps ask some pertinent questions.

Cheers.

Andrew