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Congestion pricing in Bangkok
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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] In 2023, Bangkok was ranked 46th on the global congestion index.[5] The city also experiences high levels of air pollution.[5]
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Early plans
In 1971, the World Bank-funded Bangkok Transportation Study proposed restriction on vehicle usage and ownership, but was not implemented.[6]
This fee was most recently proposed in 2022, following a pre-feasibility study that lasted from 2019 to 2022 in conjunction with German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and Thai transport authorities.[7][8][9] The study proposed charging fees ranging from 50 to 120 baht across various city zones.[7]
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Current proposal
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][10] 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.[11] The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is analyzing similar schemes in other cities.[12]
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][13][14]
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Opposition
The People's Party, Thailand's main opposition party, opposes the government's congestion pricing plan, advocating instead for prioritizing building a comprehensive public transport network.[15] People's Party MP Surachet Praweewongwut argued that argued that the current transport system is not adequate in terms of convincing motorists to switch to transit.[15]
On 24 October 2024, People's Party MP for Bangkok Suphanat Meenchainan suggested the government should prioritize public bus networks, rather than congestion fees that would benefit private train operators.[16] He also questioned if the Ministry of Transport would be able to reform the mass transit system within the promised six months.[16] Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote responded that the ministry is working to increase accountability, adding the fee would not benefit investors or businesses.[16]
See also
References
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