‘Someone has to start paying for it’: Rising transport costs to cause price rises for WA’s online shoppers

Shoppers are going to have to be prepared to pay extra for their goods as mounting costs and pressures on the State’s transport industry see freight costs skyrocket, according to a leading industry figure. WA truckies have made a whopping 50,000 border crossings since the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the nation, keeping the economy moving in unprecedented times. However, between rising costs of diesel, AdBlue, tyres and a crippling labour shortage pulling WA’s limited pool of truckers in every which way between harvest, freight, mining and construction, the industry is under increasing strain. Diesel has jumped more than 40¢ in the past 12 months, with the average price currently sitting between about 160-180c/L. And with a global shortage of AdBlue — which is added to diesel engines to reduce pollution — seeing suppliers face price hikes of up to 350 per cent, it is all adding up. It is now about $2.50/L at the pump, as opposed to less than one dollar. Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny said people should be aware the costs would eventually trickle down to consumers. “WA consumers will start having to get used to paying more for whether they buy on line or in a store as the operating costs of transport companies have risen and continue to rise,” he said. “And don’t be misled by terms like free shipping — inevitably that transport cost is hidden in the purchase price. “So to cover the rising costs of transport, the purchase price will rise to cover the ‘free shipping’”. He likened free shipping to when $1/L milk was introduced. “That was great for consumers, but it was bad for the farmers,” Mr Dumesny said. “People do their online shopping and want free shipping with it. “Along the line, someone has got to start paying for it. “Nothing comes for free, it’s factored in the profit margin. If they want to keep the term of free shipping, they’re gonna have to add cost at the shopping cart.”