Explaining the Proposal for Tamar Tag Admin Fee Increase
Proposed Tamar Tag admin fee increase - and how to share your views
The increase, which formed part of the Business Plan for Tamar Crossings, will now be debated when the committee meets at Plymouth City Council, which has been provisionally set for 12 January 2026. This Extra Ordinary Meeting will be open to the public and media, details of how to attend a council public meeting can be found on the Plymouth City Council website.
As part of the wider 2025/26 Tamar Crossings budget, the Joint Committee received a proposal for increasing the Tamar Tag admin fee from £0.80 to £2.00 per month. The budget proposal has received initial approval from the Joint Committee; it will now go forward to Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council for final consideration and approval.
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.
Why is an increase being proposed?
The Tamar Tag admin fee has remained at £0.80 per month since 2014, despite significant rises in the costs of running the scheme. After more than a decade of this fee, the current rate is no longer viable.
Even with the proposed increase to £2.00 per month, the fee still does not cover the full cost of operating the Tamar Tag scheme.
Some of the costs the admin fee helps cover include:
- Tag equipment and postage:
Around £250,000 per year is required for new tags and holders, which are provided free of charge to new account holders. An additional £50,000 per year is spent on postage, including for customers unable to collect tags in person. - Customer support staff at the crossing:
Providing in-person assistance when customers experience issues with their tags or account balance. - Customer service teams:
Setting up and maintaining more than 90,000 Tamar Tags, processing applications, helping with top-ups, and responding to queries. - Digital systems and banking charges:
Maintaining the online Tamar Tag system, web hosting, licensing, and payment processing costs. - Replacement tags:
A significant number of tags are not returned when no longer needed. Returned tags can be wiped and reused; unreturned tags mean new units must be purchased, adding to overall costs.
We also want to address a common misconception; the Tamar Tag admin fee is not profit-making. It is designed solely to help recover part of the cost of running the tag system. Tamar Crossings does not make a profit from this fee.
Supporting local residents
We recognise the essential role of the crossings in everyday life for thousands of local people. Tamar Tag users currently receive a 50% reduction on the price of toll crossings – far higher than comparable schemes at other crossings:
Humber Bridge: 10% discount for tag users
Dartford Crossing: 20% discount for tag users
We continue to offer a significantly greater reduction because we understand the importance of supporting regular local users.
Committed to achieving a toll-free crossing
The Joint Committee remains committed to pursuing a toll-free future for the Tamar Crossings. However, this is a complex and lengthy legislative process that will take time. In the meantime, we must ensure the service remains safe, reliable, and financially sustainable.