TORONTO — The trucking industry is anticipating heavy disruptions to its normal level of service due to a major sporting event next month.

A preliminary report from the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA)  shows the games in Toronto (July 10 to 26) could add 20 minutes or more to delivery times.

“When looking at the initial responses OTA has received, over 85% of respondents indicated that they are anticipating lengthy delays during the games in servicing their customers,” states the OTA. “However, when asked if carriers had developed alternative plans with their customers, the numbers showed that only 47% of respondents we able to develop some sort of alternative strategy in anticipation of the games.”

The survey also found the remaining 53% haven’t developed a contingency plan, due to a “lack of customer engagement” or their willingness to admit the games could cause them problems.

It also found that some carriers have approached this issue by simply making customers aware that normal service standards may be disrupted and that past standards cannot be guaranteed during the games.

More than a third of survey respondents indicated they have either implemented or are seriously considering implementing a surcharge during the games as a means to address the anticipated increase in congestion.

“While there did not appear to be a standard method to set the surcharge – be it geographically, time of day, proximity to games venues, among others – it is clear that at least the Pan Am Games will bring the issue of Greater Toronto Area congestion to head for many carriers and their customers,” said OTA.”

The final report will be released in two weeks when the survey closes.

Carriers interested in taking the survey can go to the OTA website.