Negotiations are underway between the Expressway Authority of Thailand (ETA), the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning, and the concessionaire Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) to alleviate the financial strain on motorists by reducing toll fees on the Ngamwongwan-Rama 9 double-deck expressway. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has announced that these discussions are expected to yield a favorable outcome, with the revised toll rates likely to be implemented by August. The proposed adjustment will see the maximum toll reduced from 90 baht to 50 baht for the 17-kilometer stretch of the expressway, providing relief to commuters. Under the new scheme, toll charges will range from 25 baht to 50 baht, effectively eliminating the current 25-baht toll fee at the out-bound Prachachuen and Asoke toll plazas. Suriya further elaborated that the toll at the in-bound Prachachuen plaza will decrease from 65 baht to 50 baht, while the in-bound Asoke toll will be reduced from 50 baht to 25 baht.
However, with the toll reductions expected to impact BEM’s revenue, the ETA plans to extend the concession for the first and second stages of the expressway, set to expire in 2035, as a form of compensation. Additionally, there’s consideration to adjust the revenue sharing arrangement between ETA and BEM from the current 60:40 split to a 50:50 division to offset BEM’s revenue losses. Nevertheless, these adjustments are still subject to finalization.
Looking ahead, Minister Suriya emphasized the Transport Ministry’s commitment to addressing traffic congestion by extending the Ngamwongwan-Rama 9 expressway further. This extension aims to alleviate congestion on the Ngamwongwan-Phaya Thai-Rama 9 section of the Si Rat expressway, particularly at Phaya Thai, where traffic congestion has become critical, with over 400,000 vehicles utilizing the expressway daily.
