Survey recognises rail travel’s business benefits
More than eight in ten (82%) business travellers report that maintaining productivity is a major consideration in how they choose to travel for work.
A study of more than 1,000 business travellers by Trainline Partner Solutions indicates that 44% believe the ability to work while in-transit has become more important since the pandemic and the widespread introduction of more flexible work patterns.
As a result, half of respondents say rail travel makes it easier to stay productive than air or road travel. And of that group of respondents, 80% agree that rail travel will become a more attractive proposition over the next 12 months.
The survey revealed that the top advantages of rail include more reliable access to WiFi and mobile connectivity, a more comfortable physical environment, and less waiting around.
However, there appears to be a disconnect between what employees want and what their employers offer, with 45% of respondents believing that their companies could do more to promote rail options.
The major barriers to delivering rail travel include current travel providers not providing extensive rail options and companies not deeming it a business priority.
“While sustainability factors will also be central to the growing shift to rail, the push to eliminate ‘dead travel time’ is clearly having an impact on transport choices too,” said Champa Magesh, president of Trainline Partner Solutions.
“It’s now up to employers and their travel partners to cater for this demand and support their staff to travel how they want to.”