Bangkok Post – All eyes on traffic plan

Promotional offer of the Ministry of Transport congestion charges Sanctions against drivers using busy roads in Bangkok have reignited intense debates.

This initiative aims to tackle traffic problems by encouraging drivers to leave their cars at home and use public transport. The fares will help fund the 20-baht flat fee 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 investigate whether the measure will ease traffic disruptions as hoped and whether the capital’s mass congestion problem has been solved. The public transportation system is developed enough to support the change.

Data for the study

A pre-feasibility study is being carried out from 2019 to 2022 in cooperation with the German development agency GIZ, said Panya Chupanich, managing director of OTP.

With support from the UK Pact (Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transitions), an advisor is being selected to continue the work. The consultant will be determined in December and the entire study is expected to be completed within two years.

Mr Panya said the study was designed for urban areas of 107 square kilometres, including parts of Klong Toey, Phaya Thai, Dusit, Din Daeng and Sathon.

The study will evaluate whether the implementation of a fee estimated at 45-50 baht can reduce the number of private vehicles and identify those who will benefit most. Cameras will be installed in designated areas to record plate numbers.

It also provided daily traffic volumes of private vehicles at six major junctions: 83,368 at Sathon-Narathiwat junction, 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 were introduced in many cities around the world, including London, but were initially criticized before becoming widely accepted. Milan has taken measures to control the number of cars and combat air pollution.

“We will primarily target areas reached by the electric train system, so they have alternatives. The revenue will support not only electric trains but also feeder services such as buses and singing,” he said.

Mr Panya said residents living in designated areas may receive discounts or not have to pay congestion charges.

Learning from success

Assoc. Prof. Head of Urban and Regional Planning Department at Chulalongkorn University. Dr. Panit Pujinda said the measure has been implemented in major cities around the world, charges reasonable fares and the goals are clear: to reduce traffic congestion 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, meanwhile, plans to tackle traffic congestion by setting clear traffic flow targets. Data is collected for evaluation every six months, and if traffic flow remains within the target range, the current fee rate is maintained.

He said the Transport Ministry’s target was different from other countries because it aimed to use congestion charging mainly to subsidize public transport fares, not to reduce traffic congestion or air pollution, which are secondary benefits.

However, he noted that this approach may not be practical as Thai travelers face the “first mile and last mile problem”. As a result, the time and money people spend does not only depend on the electric train system.

“They use motorbike taxis or taxis to reach public transport from their homes. The government should spend congestion charges on improving the feeder system and make it cheaper,” he said.

Assoc. Dr. Panit said congestion charges are used as a last resort in most countries, introduced after other measures such as collecting windfall taxes or collecting money from commercial development around train stations have been tried and failed.

He suggested that the government take this step by step, firstly encouraging commercial development around railway stations and collecting windfall taxes from those who benefit from this development.

If this does not generate enough funds to subsidize the 20-baht flat-rate fares, congestion charges should also be considered and allocated to improving feeder systems, he said.

The importance of nutrients

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary general of the Consumer Council of Thailand (TCC), said the government should first improve bus services so that they serve better as the main feeder of the electric train system.

Public bus services are inadequate, he said, adding that the 34 billion baht fund allocated for the second phase of the highway should be allocated to support bus services.

He said bus routes should be redesigned to connect to electric train systems, and passenger minibuses and singing transport could also be used to support the feeder network.

Ms Saree also emphasized the need to develop an urban plan as well as a comprehensive public transport system.

“Bangkok should spend the revenue from vehicle registration taxes to fund free bus services. If this happens, more than 50% of people can leave their cars at home and use the rail system,” he said.

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

“Otherwise the public may perceive that the government is using tax money to help operators operating at a loss,” he said.

Ms. Saree said the government must show how its actions contribute to solving climate change problems that are wreaking havoc in various regions. This will raise awareness and encourage people to reduce car use.

He said about 10 million people fell ill last year due to PM 2.5 ultrafine dust pollution, costing the government about 7 billion baht in health services. “This cycle will repeat every year (unless meaningful action is taken),” he said.

‘Drivers are ready to pay’

Traffic Division deputy commander Pol Col Jirakrit Charonpat said congestion charges would probably not deter people from driving if vehicles remained the most convenient option for commuting.

He said public transportation systems are often overcrowded during rush hour, and weather plays an important role in people’s decision to use public transportation, especially when it requires walking in hot and humid conditions.

Pol Col Jirakrit said it remained unclear how the fees would be collected and what impact they would have on residents and motorists who regularly travel in these areas.

What works in other countries may not work here due to a variety of factors. But he said traffic police were ready to help implement government policy and that if public transport services were improved, more people would choose public transport instead of driving.

Drivers’ voices

Taxi driver Chor Sua-klin, 45, said the measure was unlikely to make a difference because there would always be those willing to pay if they believed it was worth it.

He opposed the measure because it would affect his business. He believes passengers will use taxi services less if they have to pay congestion charges.

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

Worawit Prungpaopan, a 42-year-old office worker, agreed that there are those who are willing to pay for convenience.

“In this weather, it is not appropriate to walk on footpaths or use public transport, which still does not cover all areas,” he said.

But he said he was skeptical about whether congestion charges would improve public transport services.

Business owner Ploypapas Siwatjirakit, 45, said the introduction of congestion charges would increase operating costs and if these costs increased, this would inevitably be passed on to consumers.

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

“The public needs to be prepared whether this measure will be implemented or not. If we follow the example of developed countries, we must also take into account the cost of living and educational background of our people,” he said.

Panya: Feasibility studies continue

Panit: Common fares in major cities around the world

Saree: Public transport should be developed first

Jirakrit: Congestion charge unlikely to deter drivers