Could the public handle 1,000 baht Koh Samui bridge toll?

AS THE Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is now proceeding with a feasibility study of building a bridge connecting mainland Surat Thai to Koh Samui a politician raised the question whether the public will be able to cope with 1,000 baht toll fee per trip with this rate being more expensive than some world-class bridges, Naewna newspaper said today (Feb. 15).

Dr. Samart Ratchapolsitte, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party and former deputy governor of Bangkok, asked in a Facebook post whether this steep toll is appropriate and fair to the public.

“If you had to shell out 1,000 baht to drive across a bridge to Koh Samui, taking only 20 minutes instead of the usual two hours by ferry… would you pay?” he asked.

EXAT’s 74 billion baht project which is now at the feasibility study and environmental impact assessment (EIA) stage will see the construction of a bridge from Donsak, Surat Thani mainland, to Taling Ngam beach, Koh Samui, with the total distance including the bridge and connecting roads being 37.41km.

Construction of the planned cable-stayed bridge is expected to take five years starting from 2029 and opening for use at yearend 2033.

The toll fee for a four-wheel vehicle is 1,000 baht per trip and the big question is whether the public could afford this price.

Time vs cost

Currently, travelling by ferry costs approximately 550 baht including the vehicle and driver, while passengers pay 170 baht per person and the journey takes approximately two hours (including waiting time).

If the bridge opens, users will have to decide between “paying extra to save time” or “saving money but spending time.”

Theoretically, this decision depends on each individual’s “value of time,” which varies according to income level, travel purpose and the number of travellers.

A comparison with other countries

The toll rates for large bridges overseas vary depending on cost and the peoples’ income.

For example the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, approximately 3.9km long, is the world’s longest central-span suspension bridge with the massive structure being in an earthquake-prone area. The toll for four-wheel vehicles is approximately 470 baht. If paid using ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) to reduce traffic congestion at toll booths, it can go down to approximately 185 baht. Even with world-class technology, it is still less than 1,000 baht.

Meanwhile the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in China, connecting three administrative regions, is 55km long (bridge + tunnel). The toll for four-wheel vehicles is approximately 670 baht. Again a world-class project, yet the toll is less than 1,000 baht.

Is 1,000 baht toll necessary?

Full private investment (except for land expropriation costs) for this project, like some expressways in Bangkok, is unlikely because the chances of reaping profit are almost nonexistent due to the high investment, operating, and maintenance costs.

While partial private investment is possible, this might drive the toll higher than 1,000 baht a trip to ensure the private party gets a profit.

In the end the government would have to consider investing 100% on its own, similar to some expressways or elevated train lines in Bangkok, which could potentially lead to the toll falling below 1,000 baht a trip.

Skewed policy?

When it comes to Bangkok’s Purple train line from Bang Yai to Tao Poon, which the government invested 64.109.57 billion baht in building, the state has now subsidised the fare charging only 20 baht for the entire route.

Yet people in the south travelling to Koh Samui would have to pay 1,000 baht to cross this bridge or wait for a ferry as they do now.

If the same standard applies, the government could subsidise the new bridge’s toll.

This bridge connecting to Koh Samui would be convenient and speed up travelling to the popular island but the key question is whether the cost is justified and would the public pay 1,000 baht to cross over in just 20 minutes, Dr. Samart pointed out.

CAPTIONS:

Top and Front Page – An artist’s impression of the bridge to Koh Samui. Credit – Facebook

Insert – Dr. Samart Ratchapolsitte. Photo – Naewna

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