CROSSINGS on the Cremyll Ferry are to go up in price after both Plymouth and Cornwall councils ended their subsidies.
Fare costs will rise for both adults and children as the company that operates the ferry looks to make up for lost revenue now that the public funding has come to an end.
Jean Knight, a Cremyll Ferry partner, said she didn't believe the rise - which will see an adult fare go up by 15pence a journey - would impact negatively on trade.
The news comes as the group responsible for running the Mount Edgcumbe estate - run jointly by Plymouth City Council (PCC) and Cornwall Council - said waterfront repair works around the park, including at Cremyll Quay where the ferry docks, will cost £550,000.
PCC and Cornwall Council gave the ferry operators a subsidy for each journey in an attempt to increase the amount of visitors to the house and its grounds after they secured a five-year contract in 2010 to continue running the vital service.
The public funds took an adult fare down from £1.50 to £1.20 while a child travelled for 60p instead of £1.
Fares went up slightly in line with industry costs since then, meaning an adult fare became £1.35 but having the subsidy wiped-out has seen the prices, as of September, go up to £1.50 once again - the same price as in 2010.
A child fare is now 75p, a rise of 15p - and still lower than five years ago, added Ms Knight.
"For whatever reason, it was decided the subsidy would be withdrawn and the fare level has gone up," added Ms Knight, whose company is celebrating its 30th anniversary of running the crossing, which was established in the 12th century.
"We believe the new prices will allow us to recover what we have lost from the subsidy."
She said footfall had increased in the last five years - but put that down to the Royal William Yard rather than the councils' help.
"I don't know if the price level has done that or whether it is the Royal William Yard's influence. Since that opened, it has encouraged a lot of trade from our [Cremyll] side. There has also been a lot more events held at Mount Edgcumbe," she continued.
The ferry spokeswoman said, even with a price rise, the fare for the seven minute crossing compared favourably with similar operations.
"If you compare our fare to any other operator in Devon and Cornwall, ours is still below everyone else's," she said.
"You have the Mount Batten ferry nearby which charges the same rate for a shorter crossing."
Tickets for commuters who use the route between Plymouth and Cornwall will see their concession card go up by £1 to £15 which translates to 75p a journey.
Councillor Brian Vincent, speaking on behalf of both PCC and Cornwall Council, said the subsidy came to its contractual end at the end of August.
"The contract, which included a subsidy from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council, was for five years and came to end this year," he said.
"We have agreed to extend the contract for an initial year and, as part of the public subsidy period coming to an end, we negotiated with the operator that the service enhancements would remain in place and that any increase in their fares would be minimised.
"The Cremyll Ferry will continue to offer very good value for money, without needing to be financially supported by the council taxpayer."