‘Suriya’ negotiates with BEM to adjust expressway fees to 50 baht throughout the line in exchange for increased income.

“Suriya” is rushing to fix the expensive expressway, negotiating with BEM to adjust the toll of the second stage of the Ngamwongwan – Rama 9 expressway to 50 baht throughout the line from the current maximum of 90 baht, expected to present to the Cabinet for approval this August, while the Expressway Authority In the process of negotiating compensation for the private sector. Submit a proposal to increase revenue sharing – expand concessions

Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit Minister of Transport Revealed that according to the meeting of the committee to drive and follow up on the implementation of important projects according to the policy of the Minister of Transport and Deputy Minister of Transport No. 1/2024 on April 2, 2024, assigned the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). Let’s go together to consider solving traffic congestion problems on expressways (expressways) in the inner Bangkok area (Bangkok), including improving the toll system. To reduce costs for the people

Recently, EXAT has reported that it is currently in discussion with OTP andBangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited or BEM As the recipient of the expressway management concession contract inConsider adjusting the structure to reduce toll rates. To reduce the cost burden of using the expressway for the people. The results of the study on solving traffic problems in 2022 were taken for further study. In the first phase, it will be used on the 2nd stage of the Ngamwongwan – Rama 9 expressway, a distance of approximately 17 kilometers, due to the large number of motorists.

forThe new reduced toll rate starts at 25 baht and does not exceed 50 baht. From the current rate of 25 – 90 baht, the Prachachuen (outbound) and Asok (outbound) checkpoints will be cancelled, which have heavy traffic volumes. which originally had a toll of 25 baht, reducing it to 0 baht. As for the Prachachuen checkpoint (inbound), the toll used to be 65 baht, reduced to 50 baht, while the Asoke checkpoint (inbound) previously had a toll of 50 baht, reduced to 25 baht, and Srinakarin (inbound) pay 25 baht on the way up.

However, it is expected to discuss and reach a conclusion within 2 months, after which the matter will be submitted to the EXAT Board for consideration before submitting to the Section 43 Committee in accordance with the Private Sector Participation Act. Invest in government affairs 2019 and enter the process of the Attorney General’s Office to examine the draft contract. It will then be submitted to the Minister of Transport for consideration and approval of the contract amendment. and submit it to the Public-Private Joint Venture (PPP) Committee for approval first.Propose to the Cabinet (Cabinet) for consideration and approval in August.

In this regard, in reducing the said toll fees It will reduce the income of the concessionaire. So now EXAT is therefore in the process of negotiating with the private sector. To compensate for income and not affect the concession contract Initially, there are guidelinesExtend the concession contractto BEM in the Stage 2 expressway system, Section ABC and Section D, which will expire on October 30, 2035, along with considerationProportion of income The EXAT will have decreased income. To compensate the concessionaire for reducing toll fees, from the original EXAT’s share of 60% and the concessionaire’s 40%.

Meanwhile BEM must bear the burden of investing in the construction of the Level 2 elevated expressway project. Ngamwongwan – Rama 9 line (Double Deck), Ngamwongwan – Phaya Thai – Rama 9 section, which is in accordance with the Cabinet resolution in 2020 that assigned EXAT studies the project to solve traffic problems on the Si Rat Expressway. This expressway will be an expressway overlapping the original route. and no need to expropriate additional land

“This reduction in toll fees It will be very beneficial to the people because right now there are people who use the expressway for long stretches and long distances and have to pay a high price of more than 100 baht. This matter is therefore considered an urgent matter that the Ministry wants to solve. So I gave my testimony and OTP went to discuss with the private sector. To reduce expressway fees to a maximum of not more than 50 baht or 50 baht throughout the line in order to reduce the burden of using the expressway for the people,” Mr. Suriya said.

In addition, the Ministry of Transport has a policy to encourage increased use of Easy Pass cards in order to solve traffic congestion problems in front of checkpoints. By ordering EXAT to increase channels and making Easy Pass top-ups more convenient, such as selling them through convenience stores. There will also be convenience for Easy Pass users to enjoy convenience and speed in traveling. By lifting the barrier And there will be an Easy pass service slot added.