Tamar Crossings has responded to public concern after confirming a proposal to increase the Tamar Tag administration fee, and residents are being urged to share their views before a final decision is made.
Tamar Crossings has released further details following significant local reaction to plans to increase the Tamar Tag administration fee from £0.80 to £2.00 per month.
The proposal forms part of the 2025/26 Tamar Crossings budget, which has already received initial approval from the Joint Committee. The budget will now be considered by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council, who will make the final decision.
Officials say the process is still ongoing, and local residents are encouraged to contact their elected councillors to make their views known.
UPDATE 17-12-25
An extraordinary meeting of the Tamar Bridge & Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee is scheduled in the New Year to discuss the proposed increase to the Tamar Tag administration fee. The meeting, provisionally set for 12 January at Plymouth City Council, will be open to the public and media. Committee chairs Cllr Andrew Long and Cllr Anne Freeman say the additional scrutiny will allow councillors and officers to review the proposal thoroughly before any decisions feed into the budget-setting process for both Plymouth and Cornwall councils.
Why is the Tamar Tag admin fee increasing?
The Tamar Tag admin fee has not changed since 2014, despite rising costs across all aspects of running the scheme.
Tamar Crossings says the current fee is no longer viable, and even if the increase to £2.00 per month is approved, it will still not cover the full cost of operating the Tamar Tag system.
The administration fee helps pay for:
- Tag equipment and holders
Around £250,000 per year is spent on new tags and holders, which are issued free to new users. - Postage costs
A further £50,000 per year is spent posting tags to customers who cannot collect them in person. - Customer support at the crossings
Staff provide in-person help when drivers experience issues with tags or balances. - Customer service teams
Supporting more than 90,000 Tamar Tag users, handling applications, top-ups, and enquiries. - Digital systems and banking charges
Including website hosting, licensing, payment processing, and system maintenance. - Replacement tags
Many tags are not returned when no longer needed, increasing costs as new units must be purchased.
Tamar Crossings has stressed that the admin fee is not profit-making and is only intended to recover part of the operating costs.
What this means for drivers
If the proposal is approved:
- Tamar Tag users would pay £2.00 per month, up from £0.80
- The increase would apply regardless of how often you use the crossing
- The fee is separate from the toll charge itself
What drivers can do now:
- Contact local councillors to share views before a final decision is made
- Follow updates from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council
- Take part in future public and stakeholder engagement sessions
How does Tamar Tag compare to other crossings?
Despite the proposed increase, Tamar Tag users continue to receive a 50 percent discount on toll crossings, which Tamar Crossings says is significantly higher than comparable schemes elsewhere:
- Humber Bridge offers a 10 percent discount for tag users
- Dartford Crossing offers a 20 percent discount for tag users
Officials say this reflects the importance of the crossings for daily life across Plymouth and South East Cornwall.
What about toll-free crossings?
The Joint Committee has reiterated its commitment to achieving a toll-free future for the Tamar Crossings.
However, members say this will require lengthy legislative change, and in the meantime the crossings must remain safe, operational, and financially sustainable.
What the Joint Committee is saying
Philip Robinson, Chief Officer at Tamar Crossings, said:
“I remain committed to driving down the operating costs of the Tamar Crossings, where it is safe and compliant to do so. This requires greater transparency with those who rely on the crossing each day.
Part of this process is ensuring that services are self-funding, which the tag system is not and has effectively been making a loss.”
Councillor Anne Freeman, Joint Committee Co-Chair, said:
“Whilst it is disappointing that the TAG admin fee needs to be increased, the cost of running the scheme must be covered.
We recognise that this is concerning, especially coming so soon after the Toll increase earlier this year.
Plymouth and Cornwall Joint Committee members are committed to pursuing what we believe to be the right course of action, which is Toll Free crossing. We are working alongside MP’s and Parent Authorities with regards to this.”
She added that work is ongoing to reduce operating costs, explore alternative income sources, and improve transparency and engagement with local communities.
Councillor Andrew Long, Joint Committee Co-Chair, said:
“I am disappointed that Tamar Crossings are having to increase the Administration Fee for Tag Users.
At a time when everyone is suffering from increased costs, this disproportionately adversely affects people from South East Cornwall, many of whom have no alternative but to use the Ferry and Bridge to access vital services in Plymouth.
It remains the view of the Committee that the only long-term solution to this is to get a Toll Free crossing of the Tamar and we are pushing for the two authorities, the MPs and the UK Government to get a solution in place as soon as possible.”
He also highlighted concerns for patients travelling to Derriford Hospital, adding that Tamar Crossings will be asked to explore ways to support NHS access without additional charges.
How can residents have their say?
The proposal has not yet been finalised. Residents who are concerned about the fee increase are encouraged to:
- Contact their local councillors
- Raise the issue with Plymouth or Cornwall Council
- Engage with upcoming stakeholder and community consultations
Tamar Crossings says it wants residents to feel informed, heard, and involved before any final decision is made.
