Eagle-eyed FreshDirect clients in Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone could have seen an additional charge on their invoice — after the net grocer quietly slipped in a surcharge to offset paying the hated toll, The Submit has realized.
FreshDirect, whose colourful vehicles are headquartered within the Bronx, tacked on a further 50 cents for all deliveries beneath sixtieth Avenue after the controversial new levy went into impact Sunday.
The corporate had not notified clients of the added hit earlier than the toll was imposed, however fessed as much as the extra cost when contacted by The Submit.
“While we have absorbed most of the operational costs associated with the implementation of congestion pricing, we will now be adding a $0.50 ‘congestion pricing’ fee to our residential deliveries within the affected area,” a spokesperson stated in a press release.
“This small fee will enable us to continue delivering the quality and convenience our customers expect from FreshDirect while adapting to the evolving landscape of our service area.”
FreshDirect doesn’t flag the separate cost on the check-out web page. The additional 50 cents is added to the “fuel surcharge” merchandise at try, which now additionally contains “congestion pricing,” the spokesperson stated.
Supply vehicles should pay $14.40 once they cross beneath sixtieth Avenue throughout peak hours.
FreshDirect is just not alone in tacking on a congestion pricing charge. Different companies which have carried out so embody CompuVoip, a cellphone and knowledge service firm that contracts with the town, catering corporations and funeral properties, as The Submit has reported.
In contrast, meals supply firm Baldor, which delivers to eating places and different industrial companies, advised The Submit that it doesn’t plan to tack on an additional charge to its clients.
“Our plan is to offset the cost internally and to optimize,” our truck routes, based on Seth Gottlieb, senior vp of logistics. “We are trying to stay above 60th Street and search for opportunities for our customers to take deliveries overnight.”
Baldor estimates that congestion pricing will price it as much as $500,000 a yr beneath the present plan.
FreshDirect stated it’s making an attempt to mitigate its prices by piling extra orders into its bigger vehicles and lowering the variety of journeys vans and vehicles — that are charged $9 — make beneath sixtieth Avenue, the spokesperson stated.
FreshDirect was acquired in 2023 by Turkey-based Getir – a quick grocery supply service that’s experiencing monetary difficulties.
The father or mother firm is dealing with a slew of lawsuits from New York Metropolis landlords demanding again lease, as The Submit reported.
