Congestion pricing in Bangkok
In October 2024, Thailand's Ministry of Transport announced plans to implement congestion pricing on drivers entering roads in inner Bangkok.[1][2][3] Bangkok is among the most congested cities in the world, with navigation-device maker TomTom NV's 2019 global congestion index ranking it 11th.[4]
Early plans
[edit]In 1971, the World Bank-funded Bangkok Transportation Study proposed restriction on vehicle usage and ownership, but was not implemented.[5]
This fee was most recently proposed in 2022 following a 5-year study by German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and Thai transport authorities.[6][7] The study proposed charging fees ranging from 50 to 120 baht across various city zones.[6]
Current proposal
[edit]Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit proposed a 40-50 baht congestion charge to fund a 20 baht maximum flat fare for all electric rail lines in the greater Bangkok region.[1][8] Juangroongruangkit suggested the pricing scheme would be modeled after successful programs in other cities, including London.[1] Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt announced his support for the proposal, and advocated for an expansion of the city's rail and bus network.[9] The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is analyzing similar schemes in other cities.[10]
The charge is planned for roads with electric rail lines, including Sukhumvit, Silom, and Ratchadaphisek roads.[1] The ministry plans to spend six months to a year to conduct a study of the plan, expected to be completed by mid-2025.[1][11][12]
On 24 October 2024, People's Party MP Suphanat Meenchainan suggested the government should prioritize public bus networks, rather than congestion fees that would benefit private train operators.[13] He also questioned if the Ministry of Transport would be able to reform the mass transit system within the promised six months.[13] Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote responded that the ministry is working to increase accountability, adding the fee would not benefit investors or businesses.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "B40-50 congestion charge on inner-Bangkok streets". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Thai PBS (2024-10-18). หลากมุมมอง เก็บค่าธรรมเนียมเข้าเมือง 50 บาท/คัน | ชั่วโมงข่าว เสาร์ - อาทิตย์ | 19 ต.ค. 67. Retrieved 2024-10-20 – via YouTube.
- ^ "IN FOCUS: How Southeast Asian cities lack 'political will' to fix notorious traffic jams". CNA. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "We're Running Out of Road". Bloomberg.com. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Ayaragarnchanakul, Eva; Creutzig, Felix (March 2022). "Bangkok's locked-in traffic jam: Price congestion or regulate parking?". Case Studies on Transport Policy. 10 (1): 365–378. doi:10.1016/j.cstp.2021.12.016.
- ^ a b "Bangkok Considers Asking Drivers to Pay as Traffic Roars Back". Bloomberg.com. 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Bangkok 'congestion charge' in pipeline as traffic study nears completion". nationthailand. 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "เปิดมุมการเก็บค่าธรรมเนียมรถติดในเมือง ช่วยพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิต". posttoday (in Thai). 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Congestion charge for Bangkok gets governor Chadchart's nod". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Can a Bangkok congestion charge achieve the desired effects?". nationthailand. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "Bangkok motorists may face congestion fee". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "Study on congestion tax to take six months to a year: Suriya". nationthailand. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b c "Minister defends Bangkok congestion fee plan". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-25.