Regional freight carrier Peninsula Truck Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 202) is adding a $3 per shipment surcharge to all freight originating in or destined for Washington and Oregon.
The Federal Way, Wash.-based carrier's new Pacific Northwest Compliance Surcharge, which will appear as a separate line item on customer invoices, will take effect on April 6 to help offset "the growing financial burden of state-level regulations in" those states.
"This surcharge reflects a portion of the additional costs required to operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment," said Tim Vander Pol, President and Chief Steward of Peninsula Truck Lines.
Washington and Oregon have recently implemented various mandates spanning:
- Environmental & fuel programs: New carbon-reduction initiatives and fuel-related compliance measures.
- Labor & payroll mandates: Expanded benefits requirements and administrative reporting.
- Infrastructure funding: Increased fuel taxes, registration fees, and weight-based charges.
Efforts to offset costs
While Vander Pol acknowledged the necessity of the fee to maintain his company's service levels, he emphasized that the carrier has spent several years attempting to shield customers from these expenses.
"Peninsula Truck Lines has made extensive efforts to absorb these costs internally and improve efficiency before implementing the surcharge," Vander Pol noted, adding that the company remains committed to safety and reliability despite the shifting economic landscape.
