Always has been and always will be free I'm sure. If they start charging, they'll lose the price advantage of using the train over car driving to Plymouth and the bus fare via Callington.
To use the train to Plymouth - and most folk use it to go shopping or commuting - the journey takes nearly 45mins. The fare is £5ish single during the day, and £6ish for the commuting times in the mornings. You can get cheap day returns that make it about a fiver - both ways! - so if they charge for parking for the day, it'll put people off using the train.
To drive to Plymouth, it's less than 20miles, and there's stacks of parking in the city centre. Plus you can fill your car up with your family for the same price in petrol/driving. Also, there's park and ride outside the city and you pay £1.80 return on the bus with free parking.
We use the train often. It's easier than driving, and we can have a few drinks (or more) over lunch.
Here's the latest timetable:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/me ... 6_WEB.ashx
As for bicycles, there's room for four or five bikes despite what they say, and as you'll be getting on right at the start of the journey, you'll be on first.
Usually, any bikes on the train are on at the commuting trains. 7:30ish going to Plymouth and home at 16:30ish.
