Transport companies adding surcharge after quake

Mainfreight implemented a surcharge on November 21 to all inter-island freight movements. Photo / File

More New Zealand transport companies have started billing a surcharge as a result of last month's earthquake.

Fastway Couriers is the latest to announce it has been forced to pass on some of its quake-related costs to its customers.

It said in a statement that it could no longer absorb the additional costs associated with diverting through Lewis Pass while large sections of State Highway 1 remain closed.

It will charge customers a 2.98 per cent surcharge from December 5.

"The decision to do so has not been made lightly and the surcharge will remain in place until SH1 re-opens and our linehaul network is permitted to use," the statement said.

Mainfreight implemented a surcharge on November 21 to all inter-island freight movements and to trips between Marlborough and the mid to lower South Island.

"Due to these unforeseen forced operational changes and extended transit times required to service freight ... we regretfully must look to our customers to make a contribution to allow us to sustain these services," the company said on its website.

Freight company Toll NZ has also increased its prices due to the "considerable additional costs" it has incurred following the quake.

"We seek your understanding with the resulting surcharge we have to apply to all inter-island and also intra-Island for Marlborough freight forwarding consignments ... to cover these costs," business development and sales general manager Roberto Brad said.

For north-bound South Island freight, Toll NZ has added a 10 per cent surcharge.

South-bound freight from Auckland and Northland has a 19 per cent surcharge, while 25 per cent is being charged to south-bound freight from Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough.

- additional reporting Otago Daily Times.