Bangkok Citizens Reject Congestion Fee, Favor Waste Collection Charges: NIDA poll

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File photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

 

A recent survey conducted by NIDA Poll reveals that a significant portion of Bangkok residents oppose the proposed congestion charge for inner-city driving but are more supportive of a new garbage collection fee aimed at promoting waste separation.

 

The survey, conducted between 27th and 29th November by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), used telephone interviews to collect opinions from 1,310 Bangkokians aged 18 and over, cutting across various educational, income, and occupational backgrounds. The aim was to capture public sentiment regarding the city’s new urban management measures.

 

The Ministry of Transport's proposal to impose a congestion charge of 40-50 Thai Baht on motorists entering central Bangkok aims to fund a fixed 20-baht fare system for all electric rail lines within Greater Bangkok. However, this congestion charge has received a cold reception from the public.

 

Survey results show that nearly half of the respondents, 49.92%, strongly oppose the measure, with 18.24% somewhat disagreeing. Only 17.10% strongly support the initiative, while 13.98% are somewhat in favour. A small fraction, 0.76%, either had no opinion or showed disinterest.

When questioned about the anticipated success of the congestion charge, skepticism prevailed. A substantial 55.50% of participants doubted its success entirely, with 28.47% predicting limited success. On the positive side, 12.29% believed it would be somewhat effective, and a mere 2.44% were confident in its success.

 

Contrastingly, there was more enthusiasm for the new garbage collection fee, which becomes effective next June. Under this new system, households producing less than four kilograms of waste per day and practising waste separation will be charged 20 baht monthly.

 

Otherwise, the fee rises to 60 baht. This measure received strong approval from 50.31% of those polled, with an additional 23.66% expressing moderate support. A bloc of respondents, 15.73%, strongly opposed it, and 10.30% showed slight opposition.

 

In terms of cooperative engagement with the new waste fee starting next June, responses were mixed. About 44.81% of residents indicated they would not fully cooperate, whereas 28.93% were moderately willing to comply.

 

Meanwhile, 15.65% expressed no willingness to cooperate at all, and 9.69% reported complete willingness, with a marginal 0.92% undecided or disinterested.

 

This survey highlights the challenges Bangkok faces in implementing new urban policies, with mixed reactions towards their efficacy and acceptance among residents, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-16

 

 

[ikke1959]

In many EU cities they have banned older cars out of the city centre and trucks, lorries are allowed on certain times, just to prevent congestion and pollution. As people have to pay for something it is always a problem, so this a solution that cost  almost nothing and will help to get less cars in the centre of Bangkok. Besides that there must promotion not to use cars for short distances. How many cars do you see with only 1 person in it and halve the number of taxis...

[Ben Zioner]

Singapore did it 40 years ago. Always thought Thailand was at least 50 years behind..