TRANSPORT
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Bangkok expressway tolls could go up to at least 45 baht for four-wheel vehicles, in an increase approved by the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority (ETA).
The ETA plans to raise tolls from September, in a decision which still needs approval from the Transport Ministry.
The ETA board resolved yesterday to raise tolls on Bangkok's first and second-stage expressway system, citing its contract with expressway concessionaire Bangkok Expressway Co (BECL).
The contract says tolls must be raised every five years, taking into account the consumer price index as a factor.
Under the change, tolls will increase from 40 baht to 45 baht for four-wheelers, from 60 baht to 70 baht for vehicles with six to 10 wheels, and from 85 baht to 100 baht for everything else.
Motorists using the expressway could pay even more if the government agrees to pass on to them the value-added tax burden now shouldered by the ETA, said ETA chairman Surachai Thansitthipong, who is also deputy permanent secretary for transport.
If VAT is included, tolls on four-wheel vehicles will increase to 48 baht instead of 45 baht, six-10 wheel vehicles, 74 baht, and 107 baht for all others.
The ETA no longer wanted to pay VAT, which costs it up to 800 million baht a year, he said.
Mr Surachai admitted that the toll increase would hit people at a time when many were already experiencing economic hardship.
However, he said the ETA had actually delayed increasing tolls for a decade, causing its accumulated debt to reach 99 billion baht.
ETA governor Pachoen Pairojsak said the toll increase would result in a 10% cut in the number of expressway users, from about 1.3 million vehicles a day.
Transport Minister Santi Promphat said he would study the proposal and try to minimise the impact on motorists.
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