More Teenagers To Sell Expressway Coupons

[george]

More teenagers to sell coupons

BANGKOK: -- Another 300 teenagers will be recruited to help sell expressway coupons as the scheme has proved successful in relieving traffic congestion at toll booths. There are now about 200 youngsters aged between 12 and 18 working under the scheme, which is the brainchild of Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob.

The minister, who inspected expressway toll booths yesterday morning, said the scheme has helped improve traffic flow by about 21% since its launch on Oct 3.

Some critics say the initiative is an exploitation of child labour, a charge which Mr Newin strongly denied.

The minister said the government plans to recruit another 300 youngsters in Bangkok, aged between 15 and 20, for the job.

The coupon sellers work in shifts _ from 6am to 9am and from 4pm to 7pm.

According to Mr Newin, their work has helped smooth the flow of rush-hour traffic at tollgates significantly.

For example, the number of vehicles passing through Pracha Chuen tollgate during their work shifts has increased to an average of 10,606 _ a hike of 21.24% when compared to the average of 8,748 cars before the scheme was launched.

The scheme will continue until the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority can improve the efficiency of its toll collection, Mr Newin said.

--Bangkok Post 2005-11-11

[p_brownstone]

I can’t understand why selling Expressway Coupons would increase the number of vehicles using the Expressway. Increase the speed at which they pass through the Tollbooth – yes, but surely not the overall volume?

Patrick

[sierra01]

Thai logic?

[Explorer]

How much are they paying the kids to do this? And aren't the kids suppose to be in school during those hours?

Explorer

[Khutan]

Probably none for sale this afternoon, looks like a huge storm is brewing up in Bangers.

Hold on for the "Rainy Friday" traffic jam - So get your driver to get a bottle or two and some "Kanom" to enjoy on the way home.

[chownah]

I can’t understand why selling Expressway Coupons would increase the number of vehicles using the Expressway. Increase the speed at which they pass through the Tollbooth – yes, but surely not the overall volume?

Patrick

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is certainly possible. If the extra effort in selling the coupons appreciably shortens the queue waiting to enter the expressway and drivers who are considering which route to take can see this then they may be enticed to enter the expressway when normally the long queue would dissuade them. Don't know if this is actually what happens but it is a possibility that does happen in some situations.