Six areas identified for expected introduction of congestion charge
Following in the footsteps of other major cities like London and Milan, the congestion charge is expected to significantly reduce traffic jams
Thailand’s congestion charge, which aims to mitigate traffic jams and reduce environmental pollution, is expected to initially cover six high-traffic areas in Bangkok, according to a report by The Nation’s sister paper Krungthep Turakij.
A charge on motorists driving selected routes during peak hours is expected to reduce traffic congestion, encourage them to use public transport, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and support sustainable city development.
According to Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the fee will initially increase every five years, starting at 40-50 baht per vehicle in the first five years, eventually rising to 80 baht per vehicle.
This is expected to generate around 10 billion baht annually. The money will be used to fund the 20-baht train fare cap, which is currently implemented on selected state-run routes.
Based on the survey by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) in 2023, the six Bangkok areas where the congestion fee would come into effect are:
- Phetchaburi-Thonglor intersection (Phetchaburi and Thonglor roads); traffic volume of 60,112 vehicles/day
- Silom-Naradhiwas intersection (Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra and Silom roads); 62,453 vehicles/day
- Sathorn-Naradhiwas intersection (Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra and Sathorn roads); 83,368 vehicles/day
- Pathumwan intersection (Phaya Thai and Rama I roads); 62,453 vehicles/day
- Ratchaprasong intersection (Ratchadamri, Rama I and Phloen Chit roads); 56,235 vehicles/day
- Pratunam intersection (Ratchadamri, Ratchaprarop and Phetchaburi roads); 68,473 vehicles/day.
Several cities worldwide have achieved success in using congestion charges to mitigate traffic jams and reduce environmental impact.
For instance, the United Kingdom imposed this measure in 2003, which helped reduce traffic by 15%, generated 1.2 billion pounds sterling (50.33 billion baht) and mitigated carbon emissions by 16%.
Milan in Italy imposed the measure in 2012, which reduced traffic by 12%, increased public transport usage by 48% and mitigated carbon emissions by 15%.
