History
C & J Coach Tours is an established company offering coach holidays, day excursions and coach hire in north Essex. Today the company is run by David & Tina Houghton. Since taking over the company in 2003 we have continued to operate coach holidays in Britain and mainland Europe, re-introduced a day excursion programme and purchased our own coach which gives us more control over what we do and how we do it.

Quality & Security
We take great pride in what we do and have set high standards. C & J Coach Tours is a member of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the main organisation representing and advising the coach and bus industry. Membership provides us with up to date information so we are fully equipped to meet the latest regulations and benefit from the newest innovations. This then gives you, our customer piece of mind that we at C & J Coach Tours are committed and dedicated to the highest standard of coach operations.

In accordance with the EC Package Holiday Regulations, C & J Coach Tours is insured through Towergate Chapman Stevens (one of the leading insurance companies for the coach travel industry), which protects clients’ money in the unlikely event of the financial failure of the company.

Our coach
The coach is an important part of your holiday or day out, which is why at C & J Coach Tours we use a modern coach which is environmentally friendly and meets all the rigorous EU safety criteria. In order to fulfil our aim to offer the best in coach travel and meet our high standards we have purchased and operate a German built Setra coach. This model of coach is one of the finest coaches available, having unequalled ride quality and unprecedented levels of comfort and safety.

The coach features a lower entrance and shallow steps making it easier to board and exit. On entering the coach there is a feeling of spaciousness thanks to the ceiling design, indirect lighting and the large panoramic windows which are double glazed and tinted and allow the best possible view. The ergonomically designed seats have extra padding and are not only pleasing on the eye with the leather inserts but are wonderfully comfortable. They are fitted with seat belts, arm rests, fold down tables and magazine nets. The innovative ventilation and air conditioning system fitted to this coach uses intelligent electronics that automatically take into account the outdoor and indoor temperatures then heats or cools the coach efficiently, quietly and evenly without unpleasant air currents. The driver benefits from car like controls with a curved dash which puts all instruments within easy reach.  Also, for your comfort the coach is fitted with a continental door for ease of exit, especially in Europe as well as facilities for hot and cold drinks and a toilet. For your entertainment there is a PA system with radio, CD & DVD and C & J Coach Tours holds a PRS licence which allows us to legally play music on board. The coach is also fitted with satellite navigation which can be shown through the multi-screen DVD system.

Beneficial to both driver and passenger alike are the active and passive safety features such as litronic headlights which light up the road further and wider than conventional headlights; EBS electronic braking system with ABS & ASR and secondary braking systems with intelligent data communication between engine, transmission and brakes further enhancing driving comfort and safety. The coach undergoes a rigorous maintenance programme ensuring reliable performance and compliance with safety and operational regulations and meets the low emission requirements for London and other European cities.

C & J Coach Tours operate under an International Operators licence with a Community Licence for the coach meaning we can operate tours and excursions throughout Europe.

Our Driver
With over 20 years in the coach industry David has a vast experience and knowledge of the road and of dealing with the public. He is committed to your comfort and safety and will complete his Periodic Training early in 2010, ahead of schedule. This Periodic Training, an EU directive, affects all professional LGV and PCV drivers and is designed to confirm and expand the existing knowledge and skills of a driver and to ensure that they continue to be safe, courteous and up to date with the ever changing regulations. Completing his training early will give C & J Coach Tours an advantage in the coach industry and a selling point in the market place.