MONTREAL - The Quebec Truckers Association is endorsing traffic surcharges that some delivery companies have started charging in order to compensate for increased costs incurred through traffic congestion.
Some companies are already charging a traffic surcharge, according to the Quebec Truckers Association Marc Cadieux who says that the delivery people cannot absorb the costs of the traffic jams that have been plaguing the Montreal area.
The jams cost delivery companies extra fuel and man hours, he explained.
Additionally, laws limit the number of hours a driver can spend on the road. When the limit has been reached, trucks are forced to return to base with their undelivered merchandise so another driver can take the wheel, Cadieux explained.
Parti Quebecois Transport Critic Nicolas Girard says that the costs of traffic jams are already estimated to be $1.4 billion and that Premier Charest must come up with concrete solutions.
with files from The Canadian Press
