Thailand is preparing to collect traffic congestion fees! To encourage people to use public transport more.
The Thai government is preparing to collect traffic congestion fees in areas where electric train routes cut through. In the future, electric trains will charge 20 baht for the entire line and all lines in the hope of helping to solve air pollution problems and to encourage people to use public transportation more. It is expected that there will be a clearer picture in September 2025.
On October 16, 2024, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that the current 20-baht flat-rate electric train policy has already been implemented on 2 routes: the Purple Line and the Red Line, and confirmed that the 20-baht flat-rate electric train policy will be implemented on all electric train projects, all lines, and all routes by September 2025.
In addition, a study will be conducted on the collection of traffic congestion fees to generate funds for the fund and may be considered as interest for fundraisers. This will be carried out in areas of Bangkok along the electric train routes, such as Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road, Ratchadaphisek Road, etc.
The collection of congestion charges will encourage people to use public transportation, such as electric trains, more, and also help solve the problem of pollution and PM2.5 dust. The collection of congestion charges is a model that many countries use to solve traffic congestion, which is collected when drivers drive into the city center. In addition to reducing traffic congestion, it is also used to reduce air pollution and improve quality of life. Countries that use congestion charges include Singapore, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport has proposed a policy to collect traffic congestion fees, similar to those in other countries, as a guideline for purchasing concessions to manage electric train projects from the private sector and returning them to the government. In the first 5 years, the government will charge traffic congestion fees of 40-50 baht per vehicle and may increase in the future. Initially, it is expected that traffic congestion fees will be collected from 750,000 vehicles per day, totaling 12 billion baht per year.
In the future, people who need to drive their cars into the area will have to pay a traffic congestion fee. In addition to reducing traffic congestion, it will also help reduce air pollution. There are many debates about this traffic congestion fee collection measure. The conclusion on this fee collection is expected to be concluded in mid-2025.
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