South West businesses people are planning to catch the train again once the Covid-19 crisis abates but more than 90% of them are expecting to cut down on air travel, a new survey shows.
The South West Business Council’s Travel Survey shows the break from commuting and long-distance journeys during the coronavirus lockdown is likely to lead to long-term changes in travel habits.
The survey shows that during the next two to five years 90.48% of respondents are less likely to board an aeroplane.
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Meanwhile, 75% of respondents are less likely to jump on a bus., but 52.17% are more likely to travel by train.
The survey also shows that 95.7% of respondents travelled by train before the pandemic hit the 海角视频, and this is expected to shrink to 88.64%.
Business bus use fell from a pre-pandemic 19.15% to an expected 9.09%, and air travel fell from 57.45% of respondents to an anticipated 36.36%.
However, the 42.55% that actively cycled or walked to work is now likely to rise to 54.55%.
The survey reveals 72.73% of firms expect no reduction in workforce, with only 3.03% anticipating a permanent reduction. But 44.19% are looking at a permanent situation were some staff are working from home at least part of the time.
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The majority of companies (80.43%) think that using virtual meetings is an improvement, and 34.04% believe home working boosts productivity, with 21.28% feeling productivity has been adversely affected.
But 42.22% feel home working has negatively impacted on access to customers and new markets, with just 11.11% feeling it has improved access.
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Businesses do feel safe using public transport, however, but with 21.28% of respondents giving it a wide berth until a vaccine or other treatment is developed.
But they want the ability to work while travelling (59.57%), lower fares (48.94%), and faster journey times (46.81%). They also want improved walking and cycling facilities (48.94%).
Better rail services top the wish list, however, with 59.57% demanding such things as more capacity, sleeper services and improved broadband.
In fact, the survey showed 82.98% of respondents wanted improved WiFi on trains, while 46.81% would like “door-to-door” ticketing.
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SWBC carried out the survey for Great Western Railway, analysing future travel intentions, but decided to extend the remit to other forms of public transport and green travel.
With more than 300 businesses responding the SWBC said it represents a very good representable sample from key businesses across the region.
Tim Jones, chair of SWBC, said: “Whilst the focus is on rail travel it is important to recognise that bus and green travel all now feature as part of companies travel plans and many employees have now adopted cycling as a result of the pandemic.
“The survey conclusions reveal a rapid change in sentiment. It is clear that a break of routine from the traditional commuting patterns has been broadly adopted across many sectors.
“The clear winner is the rail network. The appetite for businesses to revisit rail travel both for short- and long-term journeys emerges as a high priority.
“It is also clear that high on the list of improvements is the ability to be able to work whilst travelling, with 82% of responses seeking improvements to WiFi.
“It is also clear that integrated ticketing is something which many businesses would like to see improved. It is perhaps surprising that the ability to work while travelling was a higher priority than lower fares.”
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Mr Jones called the response regarding air travel as “a huge disappointment” and said: “Around 90% predicted that they would be less likely to use this method of travel.
“These results can be partially explained by ongoing nervousness around the difficulties of social distancing within a plane.
“It can only be hoped that these sentiments will change as air connectivity is a vital part of the infrastructure package which will keep the South West connected with national and international markets.
“It is also clear that behind some of the responses a growing awareness regarding green travel is rising on the forward plans for many businesses.
“This is partly in response to customers demands but also a reflection on the sentiment of many employees who are expecting to see a greater demonstration of ethical values from our business leaders.”