Bt5 hike in toll likely next year
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Drivers are likely to have to pay an additional Bt5 per trip to use the expressway system next year, as Bangkok Expressway (BECL) is considering seeking Cabinet approval for such an increase.
Increases are permissible under the operator’s concession with the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EAT), which allows the company periodically to adjust the toll fee in line with inflation.
BECL managing director Payao Marittanaporn yesterday said that under the concession, which expires in 2020, the company would be allowed to adjust the toll fee on two further occasions, in 2013 and 2018, in line with rising inflation.
The planned price adjustment for 2013 has been calculated based on inflation over the past five years.
“According to the inflation figures, the toll fee should be increased by Bt5 to Bt50 in September next year,” Payao said.
At present, an average of 1.06 million vehicles use the expressway per day. If the proposed price adjustment is approved, it will generate additional daily income of more than Bt5 million for BECL.
The company has reported a revenue drop from Bt8 billion in 2010 to Bt7.65 billion last year, which is attributed to lower revenue-sharing under the concession with the EAT. The ratio fell from 50:50 to 60:40 in the EAT’s favour last year.
BECL’s revenue-sharing ratio will be further reduced, to 30 per cent, this year. However, the increased toll fee would compensate for the lost income.
In addition, the devastating flooding late last year led to the company shutting down six of its nine gates for two months.
The company is negotiating with its insurers over the possible payment of compensation of Bt94 million for its flood-related revenue loss, Payao said.
Meanwhile, BECL is planning to issue a short-term Bt4-billion debenture with a three-year maturity. The first lot worth Bt1 billion to Bt2 billion will be launched next month, he said.
A Bt20-billion budget has been earmarked for construction of a junction system linking the Sri Racha gate and the Outer Ring Road. Work will commence next year, he added.
