Table 7.1 Controlled Parking Zones providing Pay and Display Spaces. Zone Name Area No. Pay and Display Spaces 32. Total 1247

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1 7. Parking Tariffs 7.1 The following chapter assesses parking charges applied by the City Council. The Council operates 52 public off-street car parks. Charges are applied in all but one of the 24 central area car parks. The only central area car park in which no charges are applied is the small (16 space) Regent Street / Lipson Road (Ref. 6). Waiting is also unrestricted in this car park. 7.2 Charges are not levied in most of the parking spaces outside the central area of the City. Currently charges are applied in only four of the out-of-town car parks. These are: Plymstock Broadway; Mutley Barracks; Mutley Plain; and Meavy Way. On-street Pay and Display Parking 7.3 The City Council charges motorists to park on street in some parts of the City. The zones that provide pay and display parking bays are listed in Table 7.1, below. Table 7.1 Controlled Parking Zones providing Pay and Display Spaces Zone Name Area No. Pay and Display Spaces 32 City Centre Core City Centre Core 44 BA Lambhay Hill Citadel / Barbican 7 D Greenbank (South) University / Mutley 11 F Glen Park Avenue Railway Station 68 H Hoe West Hoe / Hoe 817 J North Hill (West) Railway Station / University 250 L How Street / Looe Street Bretonside 50 Total The table shows that there are approximately 1247 on-street pay and display spaces in Plymouth. The majority are in areas of the City that attract large numbers of visitors. Many visitors park on street when they visit waterfront attractions on the Hoe, around the Citadel and in the Barbican. The City centre core, which is the primary retail area of the City, is a key attractor for both shoppers and tourists. Other areas in which pay and display bays are provided are close to the university and the railway station. 32 The number of spaces is calculated by dividing the length of restriction (as recorded during the on-street surveys undertaken in March 2005) by 5.5m. 7-1

2 Tariff Structure 7.5 The City Council currently uses two parking tariff structures within the City. One tariff structure is used in parking areas designated for long stay acts; the other tariff is applied in shopper or short stay car parks. The tariffs applied in Plymouth are structured to take account of the following factors: day (Monday to Saturday or Sunday / bank holiday); time of day (daytime or evening); length of stay; and type of parking act / trip purpose. 7.6 Table 7.2 shows the two daytime tariffs that are used in different car parks from Mondays to Saturdays between 08:00 and 18:00. Table 7.2 Public Off-street Parking Tariffs applied in Plymouth Effective from 1st October 2005 (Mon-Sat, 08:00-18:00hrs) Parking Duration Parking Tariff [A] Short Stay / Shopper [B] Long Stay / Commuter Up to Up to Up to Up to More than Tickets for parking for up to 30 minutes may be purchased in Athenaeum Place (Ref. D) and Bretonside Bus Station (Ref. I). 7.8 A different parking tariff is applied in the evenings. On Mondays to Saturdays after 18:00hrs, there is a charge of 2.00 all evening in most car parks. The exceptions are Athenaeum Place which has no charge, and car parks on Bretonside where evening charges are the same as in the daytime. No charges apply after 21:00. Another tariff structure is used on Sundays and bank holidays with parking for up to three charged at 1.00 and parking for longer periods charged at There are two car parks in which the tariffs described above do not apply. These are: Barbican Coxside car park (Ref. 14) charges continue to rise in 0.90 increments to 5.60 for six. Parking for over six is charged at Western Approach car park (Ref. 7) tariff structure parallels the long stay / commuter tariff but is less expensive. Parking for up to one and three costs 0.60 and 1.80 respectively. Parking for up to six costs 2.40 and for longer durations (i.e. all day) costs

3 On-street Charges 7.10 In on-street pay and display bays a slightly higher tariff than in off-street car parks is applied. In most cases the charge is 0.50 for 30 minutes, 1.00 for an hour and 1.00 for each subsequent hour. For parking bays in which parking for longer than four is permitted (Zones H and J), charges continue to rise in 1.00 increments. Benchmarking Plymouth Parking Tariffs Against Comparable Authorities 7.11 Planning Policy Guidance 13 states that a co-ordinated approach to parking should be adopted regionally. It also promotes co-operation between neighbouring planning authorities in order to avoid wasteful competition between urban centres based around the supply or cost of parking. For this reason an assessment of Plymouth s parking charges is made against those levied in other comparable urban centres within the South West region. Short Stay Parking Tariffs 7.12 Charges for using short-stay car parks are similar in each of the urban areas listed in Table 7.3. All the urban areas included are Unitary Authorities except Exeter. Figure 7.1 shows the short stay parking charges for each of the comparable authorities Tickets for parking for thirty minutes can only be purchased in three of the urban areas: Plymouth, Southampton and Portsmouth. In both Bristol and Southampton the time vehicles may be parked in short stay car parks is limited to two and in Torbay motorists may not park for longer than four. Figure 7.1 Short Stay Parking Tariffs in Plymouth and Comparable Authorities Exeter Torbay Swindon Portsmouth Southampton Plymouth Bristol up to 30 mins up to 1 hour up to 2 up to 3 up to

4 7.14 Plymouth, Portsmouth, Swindon and Exeter allow parking for periods longer than two in most short stay car parks, with charges rising in equal increments for durations of up to four with greater incremental increases for parking for longer periods. In Swindon there are also a number of premium short stay car parks whose location and / or facilities are of a higher standard. Hourly charges are 0.20 more expensive in these car parks In Plymouth, Portsmouth, Swindon and Exeter motorists may park for more than four however the tariff structures are such that charges increase significantly to 9.50, 6.00, and 5.50 respectively as is shown in Table 7.3. Long Stay Parking Tariff 7.16 Figure 7.2 shows the charges in long stay car parks for each comparable authority Each of the local authorities listed in Table 7.4 apply lower all day parking charges in long stay car parks than in short stay car parks. All of them except Exeter and Southampton increase charges incrementally to three or four and then charge a flat fee for longer parking acts Parking charges in Southampton increase in hourly increments for acts lasting up to seven. In Exeter parking tickets of two different values can be purchased in long stay car parks: 2.60 for up to four or 4.40 for all day parking. Figure 7.2 Long Stay Car Park Tariffs in Plymouth and Comparable Authorities Exeter Torbay Swindon Portsmouth Southampton Plymouth Bristol Up to 1 hour Up to 2 Up to 3 Up to 4 Up to 5 Up to 6 Up to 7 Up to Long stay parking charges can also be compared against the short stay charges used in the same authority. In each of the urban centres apart from Portsmouth, 7-4

5 parking for up to four costs the same or less than it does in short stay car parks although some authorities do not offer the same degree of flexibility in the tickets that may be purchased In Portsmouth it is more expensive to park for short durations in the long stay car parks than it would be in short stay car parks and all day parking charges are the same in long stay car parks as they are in short stay car parks ( 6). The tariff structure used in Southampton is also conspicuous as charges for parking for six and seven are included. 7-5

6 Table 7.3 Short Stay Car Park Tariffs in Plymouth and Comparable Authorities Authority Pop. % Employed Deprivation Rank 33 P & R up to 30 mins up to 1 hour Charge for parking for up to 2 up to 3 up to Bristol Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a Plymouth Yes Southampton Yes n/a n/a n/a Portsmouth No Swindon Yes n/a Torbay No n/a n/a Exeter Yes n/a Source: National Statistics Website. Rank of each Local Authorities Average Index of Deprivation Score (1 is most deprived, 234 is least deprived) 34 In Portsmouth the minimum length of time a vehicle may be parked in a short stay car park is 30 minutes with every subsequent 15 minutes period charged at 0.20 up to four. Parking for longer periods in short stay car parks costs

7 Table 7.4 Long Stay Car Park Tariffs in Plymouth and Comparable Authorities Authority Pop. % Employed Deprivation Rank35 Up to 1 hour Up to 2 Up to 3 Up to 4 Up to 5 Up to 6 Up to 7 Up to 24 Bristol n/a n/a n/a n/a 5.50 Plymouth n/a n/a n/a 6.70 Southampton Portsmouth n/a n/a n/a 6.00 Swindon n/a n/a 6.50 Torbay n/a n/a n/a 6.00 Exeter n/a n/a n/a 2.50 n/a n/a n/a Source: National Statistics Website. Rank of each Local Authorities Average Index of Deprivation Score (1 is most deprived, 234 is least deprived) 7-7

8 Benchmarking Plymouth Parking Tariffs Against Bus Fares 7.21 There are many costs associated with travel by car (e.g. road tax, MOT charges, servicing). Studies have shown that motorists accept these costs as a necessity and since the costs are not applied at the time of travel and do not relate to the number or destination of trips that are made; they are not linked in motorists minds with travel Parking charges are a way in which to link the cost of motoring with the act of travel. They can be used to encourage motorists to change the way in which they travel for certain types of journey. If this is to be successful it is important to be aware of the costs associated with the alternatives. This section looks at the cost of travel by bus, and compares it to the cost of parking within the City. Table 7.5 shows typical bus fares to the City centre from origins in and around Plymouth. The City s park and ride services (for a peak return ticket)cost 1.35 from Milehouse, 1.90 from Coypool and 2.50 from the George. Table 7.5 Typical Bus Fares to the City Centre from Origins In and Around Plymouth Trip Origin Adult Fare Child Fare Return before 09:00 Return after 09:00 Monthly season ticket Return after 09:00 Saltash St Budeaux Tavistock Woolwell Ivybridge Plympton Plymstock Day ticket (Inside Plymouth) n/a 2.40 Source: First and CityBus fares as at 1 st April 2006 Commuter Travel 7.23 Casual all day parking in commuter car parks costs A day return fare for travel by bus before 09:00hrs is cheaper than a daily parking charge from all of the destinations listed Car park season tickets are available for some car parks and cost 100 per month, which corresponds to a cost of approximately 4.55 per working day (i.e. Mon to Fri). In Western Approach car park season tickets cost 80 per month or approximately 3.64 per working day. 7-8

9 7.25 It is therefore generally more expensive for a single occupant to drive and park in Plymouth than it is to travel by bus before 09:00hrs from nearby settlements, even if buying a car park season ticket (with the exception of Western Approach) Monthly season tickets for bus travel to the City centre from within the City are 56% cheaper than the monthly car park season tickets. From destinations outside the City monthly bus passes are between 20% and 56% cheaper than the monthly car parking season tickets. Park and Ride is substantially cheaper than the City car parking charges. Shopper / Visitor 7.27 Analysis of ticket sales data from the City centre shopper car parks shows that most shoppers buy parking tickets for two (36.7% of tickets sold) and very few buy tickets for longer than three (13.5% of tickets sold). Parking for three in the City centre currently costs 2.70, which is cheaper than a day ticket (within Plymouth) for travel after 09:00hrs. Return fares from the origins outside Plymouth shown in Table 7.5 are more expensive. Figure 7.3 shows how parking charges compare to the various bus fares. Park and Ride is substantially cheaper than the City car parking charges. Figure 7.3 Comparison of Parking Tariff against Adult Bus Fares After 09: Cost Bus Fare - Cheapest Bus Fare - Day Ticket After 09:00 Bus Fare - Most Expensive Car Park Charge as at Up to 1 hour Up to 2 Up to 3 Up to 4 Duration of Visit Parking Charge Elasticity 7.28 The costs involved in transportation often influence trip-makers decisions on how to travel, how often to travel and sometimes whether or not to travel. Costs can be limited to monetary costs but usually also include non-monetary costs such as time, 7-9

10 discomfort and risk. Although for an individual these decisions may be quite variable and difficult to predict, in aggregate they tend to follow a pattern Generally transportation activities tend to follow a pattern: when the monetary, time, discomfort or risk costs associated with travel decline, the amount of mobility (measured in trips, person-miles or ton-miles) increases. Conversely, when costs increase; mobility declines Changes to these costs can have a variety of impacts on travel: affecting the number of trips people take, their destination, route, mode, travel time and which service they choose. Economists measure sensitivity to these changes (i.e. their effects) using elasticities, which are defined as the percentage change in consumption of a good caused, by a one-percent change in its cost. For example, an elasticity of -0.5 for vehicle use with respect to vehicle operating expenses means that each 1% increase in these expenses results in a 0.5% reduction in vehicle mileage or trips Changes to travel behaviour depend upon the element (or elements) of transport cost that change. Parking charges can affect: vehicle ownership - motorists change the number of vehicles they own. time change - greater numbers of motorists travel at off-peak periods. mode shift - traveller shifts use to another form of transport. destination change - motorist travel to alternative destinations. numbers of trips - motorists make fewer trips and may combine trips for more than one purpose. land use changes - motorists change where they live and work The degree of sensitivity also relates to the scale and scope of the parameters defined. For example: commuter trips are generally less sensitive (inelastic) to changes in cost than shopping or recreational trips; trips made in urban areas during peak-period trips are less sensitive because congestion discourages less important trips from being made at this time; and travellers with higher incomes are less price sensitive than those with lower incomes Table 7.6 shows how the number of trips made by car drivers, car passengers, public transport or slow modes such as walking and cycling are affected by increases to parking charges. It shows that the number of trips made for leisure and shopping purposes (other) is likely to change more than the number of commuter trips following changes to parking charges. 7-10

11 Table 7.6 Parking Price Elasticities on the No. Trips Made (TRACE, 1999) 36 Term/Purpose Car Driver Car Passenger Public Transport Slow Modes Commuting Business Education Other Total The elasticity values included within the table are supported by other research 37 that established elasticity values between -0.1 and The research also reported significant variation depending upon demographic and geographic factors and upon the choice of alternative forms of transport. Figure 7.4 shows the relationship between parking demand and increases in parking charges for various elasticity values. The equation governing parking demand can be expressed as: (1-e) n where e = elasticity and n = the percentage change in price. Figure 7.4 Parking Charge Elasticity 36 Tables 32 & 33 from Elasticity Handbook: Elasticities for Prototypical Contexts, TRACE; Costs Of Private Road Travel And Their Effects On Demand, Including Short And Long Term Elasticities; Prepared for the EC Directorate for Transport 37 Kuzmyak, Weinberger and Levinson (2003) 7-11

12 0.0% 0% -2.5% -10% -20% Parking Demand Decrease % -5.0% -7.5% -10.0% -12.5% -15.0% -30% -40% -50% -60% 0% 20% -17.5% -20.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 110% 120% 130% 140% 150% 160% 170% 180% 190% 200% 210% 40% 220% 230% 60% 240% 80% 100% 120% 140% 160% 180% 200% 220% 240% Parking Charge Increase % 7.35 Figure 7.4 shows that in order to achieve an immediate reduction in parking acts of 20% would require a tariff increase of between 60% and 210% (i.e. raising parking charges from 0.90 per hour to between 1.40 and 2.80). Increasing parking charges by 25% (from 0.90 to 1.10) should, in the short term reduce parking demand by 3%. Problems and Issues: Parking Tariffs Short stay parking charges in Plymouth are set at a similar levy to those in Torbay and Exeter even though Plymouth provides a wider variety of shops and has a greater retail floor area. Parking season tickets for Western Approach are cheaper than daily return bus fares from outside Plymouth Many return bus fares for travel after 09:00 are more expensive than parking for three in the City Centre. Recommendations Establish City centre parking charges at levels that equalise the balance between travel by bus and use charges to encourage short stay parking acts 7.36 When economic conditions are favourable the City Council should aim to achieve a parking tariff that: keeps the cost of parking for three more expensive, or the same as the cost of an adult return bus fare for travel within Plymouth after 09:00; maintains a higher cost for the fourth hour than for the three preceding ; keeps the daily parking charge in long stay car parks (both daily tickets and season tickets) more expensive than adult return bus fares to Plymouth from outlying settlements before 09:00hrs; and 7-12

13 keeps the costs of park and ride more than the daily cost of a monthly bus season ticket but less than the cost of a parking ticket in long stay car parks. 7-13