Customers will pay congestion charge
Most express and logistics companies will pass London’s congestion charge on to customers after it comes into force next Monday.
Others are looking to restructure their operations to absorb the £5 ( t8) a day charge to enter central London.
Paul Murray, chief executive of Target Express, said: “We are reluctantly passing this charge on, but not from day one.” He said some customers preferred to pay a surcharge, while others wanted the extra cost included in an overall rate.
Christian Salvesen’s business development director, Peter Wheeler, said: “We will be passing the congestion charge on, but because we operate multi-user deliveries, we will consolidate the charge.
“It will result in a half-charge for each customer.” Tibbett & Britten said it was looking at re-scheduling deliveries to times outside the congestion charging period, but said planning restrictions in some areas of central London ban night deliveries.
DHL said it would not be raising rates as its London operations were now mostly served by low-pollution LPGpowered vehicles which are exempt from the charges.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has issued a compliance guide to London congestion charging, covering fleet schemes, exemptions and discounts, and the potential of alternative fuel vehicles which are exempt from the charge.
A survey by the FTA found 80% of its members would pass on costs associated with the charges to customers.
Posted: 10/02/2003
