‘It’s not fair’ - Dartmoor commuters react to proposed George Park and Ride charge

People travelling from Dartmoor into Plymouth could soon have to pay for long-stay parking at the George Park and Ride, under new proposals from Plymouth City Council.

The council says it plans to introduce a £3.50 daily charge for anyone parking for more than five hours. 

The aim is to make sure more spaces are available for people using the bus, rather than drivers leaving their cars all day.

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Surveys carried out over a week between November and December showed that the car park is almost full on weekdays, with an average of 96 per cent of spaces taken. 

However, bus passenger numbers do not match this level of demand, suggesting that some drivers are using the site as a free car park instead of using the bus.

The George Park and Ride is widely used by commuters from Tavistock, Yelverton, Roborough and surrounding Dartmoor areas, especially those who travel to Derriford Hospital or Plymouth Marjon University.

A Tavistock commuter who works at Derriford Hospital and asked not to be named told The Moorlander: “At first we had our parking spaces (at Derriford Hospital) taken away and they encouraged us to park at the Park & Ride and use a free bus pass to go to work. Then they took the free bus passes away, and now they’re going to charge us to use the Park and Ride. It doesn't make sense. Not everyone who works here is on huge wages, we have cleaners, junior staff, etc. Even a little will add up over time. It's not fair”

Some commuters have suggested that a barrier should be in place which prevents misuse: “Why don't they introduce a scanner where people who have used the bus can scan their ticket for a free exit? That way we can track who is using the Park and Ride for its intended use?”

Others argued that the whole point of the Park and Ride was that it was meant to be used: “Why are they complaining about the car park being 95 per cent full, isn't that the whole point? Would they rather the car park sit empty after they introduce charges?”

Under the new plans:

• Parking will stay free for up to five hours within a 24-hour period.
• Those parking over five hours will be charged £3.50 a day.
• Blue Badge holders with an accessibility permit can still park for free.
• Weekly and monthly tickets will be available for £15 and £56, though these won’t guarantee a space.
• Payment will be cashless and ticketless, made on site or by mobile app.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said:

“We’re committed to encouraging greener travel and helping people to choose the bus over the car, even if it’s only for part of their journey.

“The George site is often full, but many people parking there are not catching the bus. By introducing a charge for long-stay parking, we hope to make more spaces available for passengers travelling to the city centre, Home Park or Derriford Hospital.”

He added that income from the new charges would help with site maintenance, potential longer terminal opening hours, and improvements set out in the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

The plans were advertised from 7 October 2025 on Plymouth City Council’s website under Traffic and Road Safety Schemes. 

Members of the public can submit comments online or by post until Tuesday 28 October.

If approved, the new charges would start in early 2026, alongside the planned expansion of the site as part of the Woolwell to the George transport scheme.