Hello and a longshot
 

Hi...bit of a longshot about hiring a vintage bus for my 50th birthday. Thought this might be a good place to ask for advice. Callum
Basically my query is:- I have my birthday on July 13th . I'm hoping to hire a vintage coach for about 5 hours toi take a party of about 35 to the Ribblle valley steam railway Preston n back from Poulton-le-Fylde. So far my quest for an affordable ( ish) hire coach is struggling to get past all the wedding day hires. Wondered if anyone here might know of someone able n willing to do the run. Budget approx. £250 - 300 or am I being naieve n whistling in the wind. HELP n save ,' Big Cal's vintage day out' ta. Callum

The problem that you will have is that many vintage vehicles are registered as private vehicles and are not licensed to ply for hire and reward, therefore, unless the owner agrees to do your trip for nothing (!) there is no way that they can carry paying passengers without breaking the law and invalidating their insurance.

I would suggest you get in touch with Regency Road Pullman Touring of Northwich, 01606 42233 have a word and see if they can suggest someone a little closer to you. :)
Or here is another http://www.cumbriaclassiccoaches.co.uk/

Here in NZ you can get away with the hire and reward by acting as a society and the pax pay a membership fee which covers the cost and you get around those type of rules.
That's how they take people on the old WW2 Catalina flying boat.

Big Cals vintage day out