The distinction between business travel and the office commute is becoming increasingly blurred, according to a recent UK study.
Conducted in April, the survey targeted over 1,000 rail ‘supercommuters’—those who travel at least 90 minutes to reach their office—and found a significant shift in commuting habits influenced by hybrid working models.
Key findings from the study include:
Purpose-driven commutes: 80% of supercommuters link their office trips with specific business purposes.
Redefining commutes: Two-thirds of respondents now view their commute as ‘business travel.’
Company support: More than half (59%) report that their companies cover the cost of travel, and 57% receive accommodation support when required.
Commissioned by Trainline Partner Solutions, a B2B rail booking platform, the survey also revealed that the number of UK supercommuters has doubled since the pandemic. A significant majority (84%) of respondents credited hybrid working for enabling this change in commuting habits.
On average, supercommuters spend three days a week in the office, primarily in cities such as London (27%), Manchester (6%), Nottingham (5%), and Birmingham (5%).
Trainline’s study also found a growing openness towards supercommuting among regular commuters, with 51% expressing willingness to adopt supercommuting for a better work-life balance.
Alice Coverlizza, VP of Trainline Partner Solutions, commented on the findings: “With rail driving a growth in supercommuting, this is redefining what the traditional commute looks like, particularly in relation to business travel. The commute is a key part of ever-evolving working patterns in the UK, and these findings highlight the need for both workplaces and the broader travel ecosystem to keep pace with these trends.”