Tamar Tag admin fee to rise by 150 percent

It's a "common misconception" that it's profit making

A 150 per cent rise in the admin fee for electronic tag holders crossing the River Tamar will still not cover the costs of running the scheme, says its operators.

The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee voted last Friday to increase the standing charge for having a Tamar Tag account from 80p a month to £2. The recommendation will now go before Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council for a final decision.

It comes seven months after toll fees were increased to address a financial shortfall.

In a statement the organisation responsible for the day to day operation of the crossings on behalf of the councils, Tamar Crossings, said the admin fee had remained at 80p a month since 2014 despite “significant rises” in the costs of running the scheme.

After more than a decade the current rate “was no longer viable”, it said. “Even with the proposed increase to £2 per month, the fee still does not cover the full costs of operating the Tamar Tag.”

The costs included £250,000 per year for new tags and holders, which were provided free of charge to new account holders and an additional £50,000 per year for postage plus in-person customer service support at the crossings, setting up and maintaining more than 90,000 tags, processing applications, digital systems and replacement tags.

The annual income from Tag accounts will increase from £460,000 to £1.15 million in 2026/27 if the new fee is implemented.

The organisation said it was a “common misconception” that the Tamar Tag admin fee was profit-making as it was designed to help recover costs.

It added: “We understand that many local people are concerned about the prospect of any increase. Tamar Crossings is committed to being transparent about why this change has been proposed, what the fee pays for, and how the public can continue to influence the decision.

“This proposal is part of a democratic process, and members of the public are encouraged to share their views with their elected council representatives before a final decision is made. We welcome feedback and want residents to feel informed and heard throughout this process.”

Tamar Tag users currently receive a 50% reduction on the price of toll crossings. Earlier this the cost rose from £1.30 to £1.50. 

Tamar Crossings said this was “far higher” than comparable schemes like the Humber Bridge and Dartford Crossing which offered 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

The long term wish of the councils is for government takes over responsibility for the bridge and ferry and make it free to the public but the legislative process was described as “complex and lengthy”.

Co chairs of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee Cllr Anne Freeman and Cllr Andrew Long said they were disappointed that the Tag admin fee needed to be increased but costs had to be covered.

“We recognise that this is concerning, especially coming so soon after the toll increase earlier this year,” said Cllr Anne Freeman (Plymouth).

“We are committed to pursuing what we believe to be the right course of action, which is toll free crossing. We are working alongside MPs and parent authorities with regards to this. We are also exploring all options to look at reducing costs and how income can be maximised from other sources.”

Cllr Andrew Long (Cornwall) said: “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.”

He added that the committee was “acutely aware that some of the worst affected are people who only use the Tag to access the hospital at Derriford”.

“In the New Year we will be asking Tamar Crossings to see what can be done to support these people who should be able to access the NHS without a charge but this is currently not the case.”