More information about legitimate transfer companies

From Cham Share Wiki

From a discussion about in-valley taxies and related transfer info

To shed a little light..... If a transport service is booked in advance, or offered as an agreed regular service (sticking religiously to a schedule) then those with a valid transport licence (*see later) have the right to provide a (Taxi type) service for hire and reward. What they are not allowed to do is to tout for business on the street....waiting by train stations/bars/restaurants etc.. or by displaying a sign/light etc.... This is a Taxi service. Both carry people from A to B for money but one must be pre-booked and the other not so.

(*) Re the licence. Any one established business (not per chalet) may have a restricted licence (Free from the DDR with the right docs, KBIS etc..) to allow them to drive their own guests AND to offer some paid (Hire and Reward ) type service with ONE vehicle only. The income from this service must be as a supplement only to their main business ie not the major source of their income. If one wishes to operate more than one vehicle then an international CPC or French Attestation de Capacite is required + a few other criteria to do with good character and financial bonding. This then allows the individual holding the certificate to acquire a number of licences corresponding to the number of vehicles they wish to operate and the amount of money they have bonded. Licences are not vehicle specific within the company but there are stiff penalties for operating more vehicles than the number of licences held. For an up to date list of those holding licences and the number of vehicles they are allowed to operate follow this link. <http://www.transports.equipement.gouv.fr/registres/voyageurs/74.htm>

In short, so long as the service is booked in a advance there is no reason why those holding one or many licences should not be able to provide cover for all the transport needs of late night party goers without the need for an actual Taxi. However that does not address the issue of desire to work the night shift! A business opportunity for teetotaller who can’t sleep.

More

If you are travelling with an unlicensed transfer service (i.e. they can't physically present an original transfer licence issued by the DDR, ask the driver to prove this) then unfortunately you are travelling uninsured. Even if the vehicle is insured, if they are carrying you for hire and reward (i.e. you pay €€€€'s) and you are in an accident YOU WILL BE LEFT HIGH AND DRY.

If a company registered at <http://www.transports.equipement.gouv.fr/registres/voyageurs/74.htm> has 1 licensed issued to them this means they can only run ONE vehicle, not 2,3, or 8!

ASK TO SEE THE LICENSE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. PROTECT THE REPUTATION OF YOUR COMPANY, CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS

More

Just to follow-on to this, you’ll probably be interested to know that a meeting was held recently among the majority of the transfer companies in the valley. In attendance were:

• Alpybus
• ATS Chamonix (ACT)
• Cham Express
• Cham Van
• Chamonix Shuttles
• Mountain Dropoffs
• Geneva Airport Transfers
• Geneva Chamonix Transfers
• Huski
• Ski Weekend

Part of our discussion centered around the HUGE confusion that exists re: information and regulation on licenses from the DDE / who’s eligible to do what (i.e. chalet vs dedicated license) / what does one have to do and need to be licensed / the consequences of being caught operating without a proper license, etc.

In an effort to help clarify what is evidently one of the most pitfall-ridden industries in the Alps, over the summer we’re aiming to establish an organisation that will provide an information website and forum which (we hope) should go a long way to fill in the blanks for everybody who has an interest in this area. It’s very early days yet (and we still have this season to get through first!) but we’ll let you know when we have something up-and-running.

Transfers to Italy

Also, the 'chalet licence' that is issued by the DDE to allow chalet owners to transport their own guests (that's the nice A4 sized BROWN coloured licence) DOES NOT cover you for entering Italy. It is a specially agreed arrangement between the French and Swiss that allows you to go to Geneva Airport. Any 'Brown' licence holder should have the corresponding letter or authorisation stating this and carry it with the licence in the vehicle.

The only people that can provide transport for guests/clients to/from Italy are those who hold the GREEN coloured licence which is the International Passenger Transport Licence.