Prepare to cheer! Suriya orders EXAT to negotiate with the private sector. Reduce expressway fees to no more than 50 baht. Propose to the Cabinet this August.

Prepare to cheer! ‘Suriya’ orders to fix expensive ‘expressway fees’ Urges ‘EXAT’ to speed up discussions with the private sector. Reduce the cost of the 2nd stage expressway, Ngamwongwan – Rama 9 line, to 50 baht throughout the line, hoping to reduce the burden of travel expenses for the people. It is expected that a conclusion will be reached within 2 months. The goal is to propose. Cabinet in August this

25 April 2024 Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, 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, has assigned the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to go together. Consider solving the problem of traffic congestion on expressways (expressways) in the inner Bangkok area (Bangkok), including improving the toll system. To reduce costs for the people

Most recently, EXAT has reported that EXAT is currently in discussions with the OTP and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited or BEM, as the recipient of the expressway management concession contract. In considering restructuring and reducing toll rates, etc. 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, the operation will begin on the 2nd stage of the Ngamwongwan – Rama 9 expressway, a distance of approximately 17 kilometers (km.) due to the large number of motorists.

As for the new reduced toll rate, it starts at 25 baht and has a maximum not exceeding 50 baht, from the current rate of 25 – 90 baht. That is, the Prachachuen (outbound) checkpoint and the Asoke checkpoint will be cancelled. (outbound) which has a heavy traffic volume 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) pays 25 baht for the entrance. However, it is expected that discussions and conclusions will be reached within 2 months before entering into other steps of the process.

In this regard, in reducing the said toll fees It will reduce the income of the concessionaire. Therefore, from the initial discussions, EXAT has a plan to extend the concession contract for BEM, Stage 1 and Stage 2 expressway systems, which will expire on October 30, 2035, along with consideration of revenue sharing by EXAT. There will be a decrease in income. To compensate the concessionaire for reducing tolls from the original EXAT’s share of 60% and the concessionaire’s 40%, at the same time BEM will have to bear the burden of investing in the construction of the 2nd level elevated expressway project, Ngamwongwan-Rama Ram Line. 9 (Double Deck) However, it is confirmed that the toll reduction this time It will be very beneficial to the people.

“Ministry of Transport There is a big issue that I want to see results quickly, which is to solve the problem of expensive expressway fees because right now there are people who use the expressway for long stretches and long distances and have to pay more than 100 baht. So I have given it to EXAT and OTP. . Go 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.

Mr. Suriya further said that for the next step, when EXAT discusses with OTP and BEM until reaching a conclusion within 2 months from now, EXAT will present the matter to the EXAT Board. Consider and approve guidelines for reducing toll fees. Including extending the concession contract, adjusting the revenue ratio, and BEM being the investor in the Double Deck project before submitting it to the Committee, Section 43 according to the Act (Act) regarding private investment in state enterprises. 2019 Consider and approve details of contract amendments.

After passing the consideration of the Section 43 committee, the draft contract will be sent. The amendments were then forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for review of 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 Partnership (PPP) Committee for approval before submitting it to the Cabinet for approval in August 2024. If there is progress, the public will be informed.

In addition, the Ministry of Transport has a policy to promote increased use of the Easy Pass card by ordering EXAT to increase sales channels. and making Easy Pass top-ups more convenient, such as selling them through convenience stores. At the same time, there will be convenience for Easy Pass users to enjoy convenience and speed in traveling. By lifting the barrier And there will be more Easy pass channels added.

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