The proposal from the Ministry of Transport to introduce urban tolls on motorists using Bangkok’s busy roads has reignited an intense debate.

This initiative aims to tackle traffic problems by encouraging drivers to leave their cars at home and use public transport. The fee will help fund a flat rate of 20 baht for the city’s electric trains, making them more affordable and accessible. The ministry plans to spend six to 12 months studying the feasibility of the proposal.

The Bangkok Post spoke to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), urban planning and consumer rights experts, police and road users to determine whether the measure could alleviate traffic congestion as hoped and if the capital’s mass transit system is sufficiently developed to support this change.

Data to study

Panya: feasibility studies in progress

OTP General Director Panya Chupanich said a pre-feasibility study was carried out from 2019 to 2022 in collaboration with German development agency GIZ.

With the support of the UK Pact (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions), a consultant is being selected to continue the study. The consultant will be appointed in December and a full study is expected to be completed within two years.

Mr Panya said the study is for the inner city areas covering 107 square kilometers, including parts of Klong Toey, Phaya Thai, Dusit, Din Daeng and Sathon.

The study will assess whether imposing the fee, estimated at between 45 and 50 baht, can reduce the number of private vehicles and identify those most likely to benefit. Cameras will be installed in designated areas to record license plate numbers.

It also provided daily passenger car traffic volumes at six major intersections: 83,368 at Sathon-Narathiwat intersection, 68,473 at Pratunam, 62,453 at Pathumwan, 62,453 at Silom-Narathiwat, 60,112 at Phetchaburi-Thong Lor; and 56,235 in Ratchaprasong.

Mr Panya said congestion charges have been imposed in several cities around the world, including London, where they were initially criticized before becoming widely accepted. Milan has introduced measures to control the number of cars and combat air pollution.

“We will first target areas served by the electric train system so that they have alternatives. The revenue will also support feeder services, such as buses and Song Thaews, and not just electric trains,” he declared.

Mr Panya said those living in the designated areas can benefit from discounts or not have to pay congestion charges.

Learn from success

Panit: common charges in major cities around the world

Associate Professor Panit Pujinda, head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Chulalongkorn University, said the measure is in place in major cities around the world, where modest fees are charged, and the objectives are clear: reduce traffic jams and fight pollution.

New York City has studied this approach and is preparing to implement it. The goal is to raise revenue to improve the city’s century-old subway system.

Singapore, for its part, intends to combat traffic jams by setting clear objectives in terms of traffic flow. Data is collected for evaluation every six months, and if traffic flow remains within the target range, the current royalty rate will be maintained.

He explained that the Ministry of Transport’s objective differs from that of other countries because it aims to use the congestion charge mainly to subsidize public transport fares, and not to reduce traffic congestion or air pollution, which are secondary benefits.

However, he stressed that this approach may not be practical as Thai commuters face the “first and last mile problem”. As a result, the time and money people spend is not just on the electric train system.

“They use motorbike taxis or taxis to get from home to public transport. The government should spend congestion charges on developing the feeder system and making it cheaper,” he said.

Associate Professor Panit said congestion charges are often used as a last resort in many countries, implemented after other measures have been tried and failed, such as collecting windfall taxes or raising funds from commercial development around stations.

He suggested the government proceed step by step, first encouraging commercial development around stations and collecting exceptional taxes from those who benefit from this development.

If this generates insufficient funds to subsidize the 20-baht flat fares, then congestion charges should be considered and allocated to improving feeder systems as well, he said.

Importance of feeders

Saree: Public transport must first be improved

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thai Consumer Council (TCC), said the government should first improve bus services so they can better serve as the main power source for the electric train system.

Public bus services are insufficient, she said, adding that funds worth 34 billion baht earmarked for the second phase of the expressway should be allocated to support bus services.

She said bus routes should be redesigned to connect to electric train systems, and passenger vans and song thaews can also be used to support the feeder network.

Ms Saree also highlighted the need to develop an urban plan alongside a comprehensive public transport system.

“Bangkok should spend revenue from vehicle registration taxes to fund free bus services. More than 50 percent of people could leave their cars at home and use the rail system if this comes to fruition,” she said. declared.

Regarding the government’s plan to buy back the electric train systems, she said the government should review financial and maintenance records to assess costs and ensure transparency in the buyback process.

“Otherwise, the public might get the impression that the government is using its tax money to help operators who are at a loss,” she said.

Ms Saree said the government must show how its actions are helping to address climate change issues which have wreaked havoc in various regions. This will raise awareness and encourage people to reduce their car use.

She said last year, about 10 million people fell ill due to PM 2.5 ultrafine dust pollution, costing the government about 7 billion baht for health care. “This cycle will repeat itself every year (unless significant action is taken),” she said.

“Motorists ready to pay”

Jirakrit: the urban toll will probably not deter motorists

Pol Col Jirakrit Charonpat, deputy commander of the Traffic Division, said congestion charges are unlikely to deter people from using cars if they remain the most convenient option for getting around.

Public transportation systems are often crowded during rush hours, and weather plays a key role in people’s decisions to use public transportation, particularly when it comes to walking in hot and humid conditions, he explained.

Col. Jirakrit said it remains unclear exactly how the fees will be collected and what impact they will have on residents and motorists who regularly travel through these areas.

What works in other countries may not work here due to various factors. However, he said the traffic police were ready to help implement government policy and if public transport services were improved, more people would choose public transport over cars.

Voices of motorists

Chor Sua-klin, a 45-year-old taxi driver, said the measure would likely make no difference because there will always be those willing to pay if they think it is worth it.

He did not agree with this measure because it would affect his work. He believes passengers would use taxi services less frequently if they had to pay congestion charges.

A more effective approach could be to limit the age of vehicles permitted in urban areas. Older cars contribute to traffic congestion when they break down, and this method would also reduce the number of cars entering the city.

Worawit Prungpaopan, a 42-year-old office worker, acknowledges that some are willing to pay for convenience.

“It is not practical to walk on sidewalks in this weather or use public transportation, which does not yet cover all areas,” he said.

However, he said he was skeptical about the effectiveness of urban tolls in improving public transport services.

Ploypapas Siwatjirakit, a 45-year-old business owner, said the introduction of congestion charges would increase businesses’ costs, which would inevitably affect consumers if those costs increased.

Ms Ploypapas said the city’s public transport systems need to be improved, whether in terms of routes, service efficiency or safety. Even electric train systems cannot accommodate passengers during peak hours.

“The public must prepare if this measure is to be implemented. If we follow the example of developed countries, we must also take into account the cost of living and the education level of our population,” he said. -she declared.