The Evolving Commute: Super-commuters Redefine Business Travel in the UK
The line between commuting and business travel is beginning to blur as the number of UK commuters traveling for at least 90 minutes has nearly doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This came under an April survey by Trainline Partner Solutions, which polled 1,004 train-using ‘super-commuters.’ Those were those trawling to work for over 90 minutes. More than a quarter, 27%, traveled to London, but this phenomenon is countrywide.
This increase in migration can partly be explained by hybrid working, with the number of super-commuters—those traveling to their workplace at least twice a week—rising by 47%. The average time commuters spend in the office is three days a week. Long commutes are taken on by many in the quest for a better balance of work and life, as shown by 34%, reducing costs of living noted by 29%, and giving more opportunities to their families indicated by 29%.
Businesses need to update their travel policies to reflect these changing trends in commuting, says Alice Coverlizza, vice president of Trainline Partner Solutions. The survey found that the plurality of rail super-commuters normally can expect to complete journeys within a single day (78%). More than half also said their companies pay for their travel (59%) and accommodation when they need it (57%). Maintaining strong bonds with colleagues or clients was an essential reason for 93 percent of the respondents to travel to the workplace.
Another survey of 1,001 commuters with journeys under 90 minutes conducted by Trainline had 51% saying that they would consider moving further away from the workplace to ‘super-commute’ by rail, mainly because they wished to have a better work-life balance. Over four-fifths, 84%, would be prepared to spend at least 75 minutes on the train.
Coverlizza said the rail industry must provide travelers with one simple and easy place to get all their rail content as the UK’s number of rail super-commuters increases. She called for closer collaboration in the industry and, in particular, open APIs as a prerequisite for service integration. She wanted to provide corporate travelers with a seamless experience, much like they are used to, which would mean incorporating, through one platform, the best routes, fares, and journey times of all providers. She further said that strategic partnering by third-party ticket aggregators with rail companies might do the mainstreaming of rail travel, thereby giving airlines expanded reach and passengers easier access to more environmentally-friendly options.
If the distribution models are not in place, that would indeed be an exciting step forward to help simplify and allow accredited specialists to facilitate streamlining retailing of businesses. This shall also benefit the rail industry by having travelers in. Coverlizza wrapped up the discussion by saying, “The commute is a core component of shifting work patterns across the UK, and these findings underline the need for workplaces—indeed, the broader travel ecosystem—to adapt with these trends.”
