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Rail travel ‘best for optimum productivity’
UK business travellers have been urged to make more use of rail travel as research indicates the train is the best transport mode for optimum productivity.
A joint research project, conducted by the University of the West of England, Bristol and Lancaster University, challenges the perceptions of business travellers who opt for the ‘fastest’ mode of travel, viewing travel time as unproductive time.
The poll for Network Rail found that 86% of rail business travellers have work that could easily be undertaken on the train, and of those who work or study on the train, 96% feel their travel time is worthwhile.
Enhanced on-board working environments have been achieved through portable technologies and Wi-Fi.
The research found that 20% of rail passengers carry a laptop with them while travelling, which is in line with an expected average annual growth rate of 15% over the next five years. This rapid growth highlights demand for mobile connectivity and productivity tools for ‘working on the move’.
While the impetus is on employers being urged to review short-haul flights and car usage for business travel because of the environmental impact, it is also important for businesses to know that careful business transport choice can maximise their employees productivity and minimise the economic cost of business travel, according to Network Rail.
Marketing manager Richard Flindell said: “Business people are increasingly choosing rail as the most productive way of travelling.
“Unlike travel by air or car, the train allows them to use their computer, mobile phone or PDAs while on the move – or even use their journey to have a meeting. Travel by train offers an ideal environment for productive thinking and planning time, catching up on emails and perhaps a better quality working environment than the office.”
Professor Glenn Lyons, who led the research, said: “The challenge is now about employers and employees ensuring the best mode of travel is chosen to facilitate the best use of their travel time.
“It is no longer just about the quickest, cheapest or most convenient option but about the one which also provides the best environment for productivity.”
by Phil Davies
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