British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are predicting a fresh surge in both domestic travel volumes and spending in 2025, underpinned by growing commitments to reduce their carbon footprint.
According to new research by Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS), 76 per cent of UK SMEs expect to ramp up business travel next year, while 79 per cent anticipate bigger budgets for corporate journeys.
The study, involving business travel decision-makers, also suggests a notable shift towards more eco-friendly travel: a third (33 per cent) of SMEs cite increasing rail use as a key measure to cut carbon emissions. This comes as 87 per cent of respondents now have clear targets to reduce business travel emissions, up significantly from 52 per cent at the start of 2024.
Despite not being directly affected by sustainability directives such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), many of these smaller firms have implemented policies—and funding—to encourage staff to choose greener transport. Nearly nine in ten (89 per cent) SMBs working with travel management companies (TMCs) say they rely on TMC-generated emissions data to help track their progress.
“We’re seeing a real shift in mindset,” said Andrew Cruttenden, General Manager of Trainline Partner Solutions. “With UK small businesses planning to boost travel volumes, ensuring they have the tools to prioritise rail, drive down emissions, and meet their sustainability goals is vital. The rail and business travel sectors must collaborate to make train journeys an effortless choice for employees—and that’s exactly where Trainline Partner Solutions can help.”