Luggage policy.

01Provision for luggage

The Luggage Policy forms part of the Tekapo Bus Limited Terms and Conditions and may be amended from time to time. By purchasing a ticket, and/or by travelling on our services, the customer agrees to comply with this Luggage Policy.

Tekapo Bus reserves the right to refuse luggage that does not comply with this policy. This Luggage Policy must be read in accordance with the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, Part 5, Subpart 1.

To ensure the safety, convenience and comfort of all customers, Tekapo Bus places limits on the type, size and quantity of luggage and personal belongings allowed on board its services. Tekapo Bus reserves the right to decline any item that is considered unsuitable for transport.

• Every item of luggage must display the customer’s full name, contact information, address, and travel destination.
• If a customer is transferring between services, the customer is responsible for collecting their luggage and checking it onto the next bus or service.
• Oversized or additional baggage may be accepted where storage space permits. Tekapo Bus does not guarantee that there will be space available for oversized or additional baggage on any service or travel date.
• Only authorised Tekapo Bus staff may place luggage into or remove luggage from storage compartments.

02Checked luggage

Each customer may travel with up to two checked bags, with each item weighing no more than 25kg. The combined dimensions (length + width + height) of each item must not exceed 158cm (62 inches).

In addition to the above, customers may carry one of the following items free of charge:

• a compact foldable stroller or pram; or
• a walking frame, walker, collapsible wheelchair or other mobility assisting device.

Sporting equipment, including golf clubs, must be packed securely in a protective holdall or bag. If the item meets the standard size and weight limits, it will count as one checked luggage item. Items exceeding those limits will be treated as oversized baggage and accepted only if space is available.

If a customer wishes to take a bicycle on the service, the bicycle must be dismantled for transport, with both wheels removed, handlebars turned sideways, and the chain covered. If a customer brings the bicycle in a bag, the packed bicycle must not exceed the maximum dimension limit of 158cm. The packed bicycle will count as one checked luggage item. Bicycles that are not collapsed or prepared correctly will not be accepted.

03Items unsuitable for checked luggage

The following items should not be placed in checked baggage lockers. Any customer who includes these items does so at their own risk. Tekapo Bus shall not be liable for any loss in respect of these items:

• Passports and travel papers;
• Cameras and video equipment;
• Computers and related accessories;
• Electronic or electrical devices;
• Confidential or business documents;
• Product samples;
• Delicate, fragile or perishable goods;
• Valuables including jewellery, cash, or similar items; or
• Any property not adequately packed for normal road transport conditions.

04Carry-on luggage

Customers may bring one carry-on item with maximum dimensions of 20cm high × 28cm deep and 400mm in length. The item must not weigh more than 5kg.

Handbags, umbrellas, and walking sticks are allowed in addition to carry-on baggage.

Customers shall be responsible for their carry-on luggage. Tekapo Bus shall not be liable for any loss or damage to a customer’s carry-on luggage.

05Restricted items

If a customer is travelling with lithium batteries, the following conditions apply:

• Customers may carry a maximum of 12 spare batteries each;
• Any spare batteries must be transported in carry-on luggage only;
• Devices containing batteries that are placed in checked luggage must have their power switches secured or protected to avoid accidental activation during transport.

Personal transport devices powered by lithium batteries larger than 160 Watt hours (Wh) are not allowed on Tekapo Bus services. This includes hoverboards, air wheels, balance wheels, mini-Segways, solo wheels, electric skateboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and similar equipment.

06Prohibited items

Customers are unable to travel with prohibited items. Prohibited items include (but are not limited to):

• Liquids or creams not stored in sealed watertight containers;
• Flammable substances;
• Explosives or fireworks;
• Toxic, dangerous, or hazardous materials;
• Wet-cell spillable batteries, such as vehicle batteries;
• Solvents;
• Fuel or gas cylinders;
• Loose batteries, except those installed in portable electronic devices;
• Weapons, ammunition, firearms, or explosives;
• Illegal substances or drugs;
• Animals, other than certified assistance dogs;
• Chilly bins, cartons, or bags containing frozen products, fresh food, or other perishable goods;
• Frozen goods or fresh meat, fish or poultry; or
• Any item considered unsafe by Tekapo Bus.

07Oversized or large items

Oversized luggage refers to items heavier than 25kg or exceeding total dimensions of 158cm.

Tekapo Bus may allow one oversized item per customer to be accepted depending on available storage space on each service. This is at Tekapo Bus’ sole discretion and Tekapo Bus shall not guarantee that space will be available for any oversized item.

Wheelchairs or mobility scooters that cannot be folded to standard luggage dimensions shall be deemed to be oversized luggage.

08Lost luggage

If a customer leaves behind any of their luggage or other items of property on a Tekapo Bus service, the customer must notify Tekapo Bus as soon as possible and in any event within 24 hours from the end of their service.

Tekapo Bus will endeavour to store any luggage that it finds but does not provide any guarantee in respect of luggage that has been left on its services.

Tekapo Bus will be entitled to open and examine any left or lost luggage or other items of property to ascertain who it belongs to and/or for health, safety and/or security reasons. If there are any items considered unlawful, dangerous, perishable or otherwise unsuitable for storage, Tekapo Bus shall be entitled to hand them over to the relevant authorities or dispose of such items at any time.

The customer acknowledges that Tekapo Bus may store any luggage lost or left behind in its storage facilities for 28 days, after which time Tekapo Bus reserves the right to dispose of it in any manner it considers appropriate.

Tekapo Bus may charge a fee for reasonable administration and/or a repatriation fee for the storage and return of a customer’s luggage that has been left or lost.

Tekapo Bus shall not be liable for any loss for luggage that has been left or lost on a Tekapo Bus service unless that loss is caused by Tekapo Bus’ failure to use reasonable care.

09Damaged luggage

The customer shall be responsible for checking their luggage and other items of property at the time of leaving the service for any damage, and must notify the driver or a Tekapo Bus representative at the time of discovering such damage. Any notice of damage must be made within 24 hours after the end of the service.

Any claims in respect of damaged luggage or other items of property must be received within 28 days of the date of the service. The customer must provide suitable evidence of the damage with their claim (for example, photographic evidence and receipts for items included in their luggage).