A court has ordered Endeavour Coaches Ltd to pay compensation to a religious organisation after they were sent the wrong vehicles for a day out to Glastonbury.
The firm, of Plume Street, Birmingham, was booked by the Additional Curates Society of Erdington, Birmingham, for two 53-seaters to take about 100 people.
But the adults complained that one coach had smaller seats than expected and was more suitable for children.
Father Darren Smith, society general secretary, said: “Neither coach we ordered was sent. One was a 49-seater and the other a 70-seater. We ordered two 53-seaters.
“As a result the coach more suitable for children had to be sent to Kingstanding in Birmingham – about a 10 mile detour. Others had to be picked up from Wednesbury and everyone was inconvenienced.
“There were complaints about being crammed in and the party was late arriving as a result.
“One woman complained that the cramped situation made her claustrophobia worse and she was unable to travel.”
“We were disappointed with Endeavour Coaches considering we had been using them for more than 20 years,” said Fr Smith.
Fr Smith added: “The cost of hiring the coaches was more than £1,000 and when we asked for compensation of about £2 a head the firm adapted a cavalier attitude.”
Birmingham Small Claims court awarded £235 compensation.
Sean Mitchell who helps run the family coach business with his father John, said his firm was keen to be on good terms.
“The one coach booked for the trip had to be replaced because of maintenance and we sent a larger 70 seater coach instead, with more leg room,” he said. “This would have provided more space than the one coach previously booked.
“Unfortunately, we did not send a legal representative to the court to contest the case. We believe we would have successfully opposed the judgment if we had because we sent two coaches as booked, one larger than requested, and took the groups to Glastonbury and returned them safely.
“We have paid the compensation in accordance with the court order.”
The society was formed in 1837 to provide parish priests after fears that the religious beliefs of local people were not being represented.
Trips to Glastonbury Pilgramage have been made since 1895 to celebrate the beatification of Abbot Richard Whiting on the anniversary of his martyrdom.
