Freight companies pass on increased quake costsEMMA DANGERFIELD Trucks which used to travel via Kaikoura now face a longer and more expensive route on the Lewis Pass. Transport companies have slapped a 20 per cent surcharge on freight to cover long detours resulting from the recent earthquakes. Mainfreight​ chief executive Don Braid said there are "real additional handling costs being incurred to get freight flowing, and the distances are longer". Pearson said he had heard most freight companies would be imposing a lift in charges of approximately 15 to 20 per cent but the actual increase would depend on individual companies. Freight companies were prioritising food and pharmaceuticals while more luxury items were secondary, he saidCountdown said today it was able to get stock into all regions of the country.

Source: Stuff November 17, 2016 03:41 UTC