Can a Bangkok congestion charge achieve the desired effects?
While such a policy has worked in London and Singapore, commuters worry that Bangkok’s public transport system will be unable to cope
The much-touted congestion charge, which has been making headlines in the past week, is regarded as a potentially viable approach to reducing traffic congestion in inner Bangkok and encouraging more people to use public transport.
The plan draws on the introduction of the model in other parts of the world, with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) under the Transport Ministry, analysing the success of several countries that have implemented this system to alleviate traffic and then applying these findings to create a model for use in Thailand.
One notable example is the London congestion charge in the UK. The charge is applied in central London at a rate of £15 per day, with the collection period set for Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
The results of the congestion charge in London show a 16% reduction in traffic volume within the charged area, while the use of public transportation has increased by 18%. Additionally, London generates approximately $352 million annually from the congestion charge, which can be reinvested into further public transport development.
Singapore, meanwhile, has implemented a congestion charge in its central areas and high-traffic zones, with fees ranging from 1 to 6 Singapore dollars per day. The charge is collected from Monday to Saturday, 6am to 10pm, excluding Sundays and public holidays. This system has successfully reduced traffic volume by 15%.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit revealed that target areas for congestion charges include Sukhumvit, Silom, and Ratchada. These areas currently offer various travel options, including BTS and MRT lines, with an average traffic volume of 700,000 vehicles per day.
Initially, the fee will 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 Ministry plans to use this revenue to establish an infrastructure fund, aimed at repurchasing the rail system from private operators and reducing the fare to a flat rate of 20 baht for all routes, easing travel costs for the public.
However, the congestion charge policy will undoubtedly bring changes and impact commuters who must adapt. Achieving the goal of increasing public transport use, particularly rail systems, requires more than just imposing fees or lowering fares.
People are still concerned about the readiness of the public transportation system to handle increased demand efficiently, ensuring convenience, speed, and punctuality, so they can plan their journeys effectively.
