ONLINE SHOPPING customers in north Fife will not enjoy any reduction in their home delivery charges when the tolls are removed from the Tay Road Bridge next week.

The charge for goods vehicles crossing the bridge has been £2 but a random survey of Dundee businesses shows they are not planning to introduce lower delivery charges for customers on the south side of the river.

On the plus side, however, taxi passengers should pay 80p less for their journeys.

Michael McWalter, director of Tay Taxis, said, “Our passengers will notice a difference if their journey takes them across the bridge.

“Passengers travelling out of Dundee over the bridge to places farther away, such as St Andrews are given a set fare price which includes the toll charge but as of Monday the set charge wouldn’t include the toll charge.”

The major supermarket chains, including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have all confirmed that their online shoppers will pay the same as they always have because delivery charges are set at a standard nationwide charge.

A spokesman for Asda said, “Online shoppers pay a standard £5 delivery charge across the country, regardless of whether delivery incurs extra costs.

“For example, it is the same in London where delivery vehicles pay a congestion charge, this is again absorbed within our company—extra costs such as congestion and tolls are not passed on to the customer, we take the hit, not them.”

Sainsbury’s also confirmed that their online shopping delivery charge is set at a standard £5.

A spokeswoman for the company said, “The fee for customers will not be affected even when the toll charges are removed.”

This was the same situation for Tesco’s online shoppers and an MFI Retail spokeswoman also verified, “Delivery charges will stay the same even though the toll charge is being dropped.